,:-  l    •  '••'•'" :; 


'[Premium  History.] 


HTSTOKY1;  • 


OF 


UNITED  STATES, 

FROM    THEIR 

FIRST   SETTLEMENT  AS  COLONIES, 

TO    THE 

CLOSE  OF  THE  WAR  WITH  GREAT  BRITAIN 
IN  1815. 

TO  WHICH  IS   ADDED 

QUESTIONS, 

ADAPTED  TO  THE  USE  OF  SCHOOLS. 

c*  Civitas,  incredibile  memoratu  est,  adepta  libertate,  quantum  brevi  crcrc- 


Stereotyped  by  If.  ^  H.  Wallis. 

PUBLISHED  BY  COLLINS  AND  HANNAY, 

No.  230  Pearl-Street. 

1827^ 
J.  4*  J"'  Harper,  Printers. 


Soutkern  District  of  JVew-  York,  s». 

BE  IT  REMEMBERED,  That  on  the  22d  day  of  August,  in  the  50th  year  of  the 
independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  Charles  Wiley,  of  the  said  District, 
liath  deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  Book  tire  right  whereof  he  claims  as  proprietor, 
in  the  words  following,  to  wit : 

History  of  the  United  States,  from  their  First  Settlement  as  Colonies,  to  the  Close  of 
the  War  with  Great  Britain,  in  1815. 

"  Civitas,  incredibile  memoratu  est,  adepta  libertate,  quantum  brevi  creverit.1"— 
Salluet. 

In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled  "  An  Act  for 
the  encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to 
the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  time  therein  mentioned."  And 
also  to  an  Act,  entitled  "  An  Act,  supplementary  to  an  Act,  entitled  an  Act  for  the  en 
couragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  and  Books,  to  the 
suthors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned,  and  extend 
ing  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing,  engraving,  and  etching  historical  and 
Other  prints." 

JAMES  DILL,  Clerk  of  tho  Southern  District  of  JVcwj-  York. 


THE  following  work  was  begun  many  years  since  :  the  ap 
pearance,  soon  after,  of  several  books,  on  a  plan  nearly  similar, 
and  the  want  of  sufficient  leisure,  induced  the  Author  to  relin 
quish  his  design.  Perceiving,  from  the  subsequent  offer  oi 
a  premium  for  the  best  written  work  of  the  kind,  that  another  wa;- 
wanted,  he  resumed  and  completed  his  undertaking. 

It  was  his  purpose  to  present  a  correct  and  interesting  narra 
tive  of  all  the  important  events  in  the  history  of  his  country :  to 
exhibit,  in  a  strong  light,  the  principles  of  political  and  religious 
freedom  which  our  forefathers  professed,  and  for  which  they 
fought  and  conquered  ;  to  record  the  numerous  examples  of  for 
titude,  courage,  and  patriotism,  which  have  rendered  them  illus 
trious  ;  and  to  produce,  not  so  much  by  moral  reflections,  as  by 
the  tenor  of  the  narrative,  virtuous  and  patriotic  impressions 
upon  the  mind  of  the  reader.  It  was  his  aim  to  render  the  book 
worthy  to  be  read,  not  only  in  the  academies  and  schools  of  hb 
country,  but  by  that  very  numerous  portion  of  his  fellow  citizens, 
who  have  seldom  the  opportunity  to  peruse  more  voluminous 
productions  ;  and  by  those  who  might  wish  to  review  their 
studies,  and  fix  in  their  memory  the  succession  of  events  :  and 
it  was  also  his  aim  to  exhibit  a  style  which  should  be  correct 
and  pure ;  should  be  free  from  ambitious  ornament,  and  from 
those  faults  with  which  the  writers  of  this  country  have  been 
too  justly  charged.  He  by  no  means  supposes  that  he  ha's 
accomplished  all  he  aimed  at. 

It  \vas  thought  indispensable  that  a  history,  intended  to  be  ac 
cessible  to  all,  should  contain  some  account  of  the  different 
.states  of  the  union ;  in  order  that  many  prejudices,  the  offspring 
of  ignorance,  might  be  removed ;  and  that  the  injurious  effects, 

541185 


u  PREFACE. 

which  must  flow  from  an  acquaintance  with  the  history  of  a 
single  state  only,  might  be  avoided.  It  was  the  correct  remark 
of  an  aHe  writer,  .that,  tiie'h&tory  of  colonies  generally  affords 
but  two  interesting  eras,  that  of  their  settlement,  and  that  of  their 
indef)entie6ce#  *  ^o  fobth'of ,  these  the  author  has  more  particu 
larly  directed  his  attention. 

Let  those  who  imagine  that  no  book  can  do  good  that  is  not  a 
great  book,  consider  that  every  American  should  be  acquainted 
with  the  history  of  his  country,  and  that  a  voluminous  history 
would  not  be  read  by  one  twentieth  part  of  the  population  ;  that, 
on  most  minds,  the  same  or  even  stronger  impressions  would  be 
made  by  a  work  well  written  on  the  plan  of  this,  than  by  a  min 
ute,  and  of  course  often  tedious,  detail  of  every  event ;  that  the 
perusal  of  such  a  work,  in  early  life,  must  excite  rather  than 
gratify  curiosity ;  that  much,  very  much  good  would  be  done, 
should  a  knowledge  of  the  important  events  be  communicated, 
and  correct  impressions  be  given,  to  those  who  would  otherwise 
remain  entirely  ignorant :  and  that,  in  fact,  this  book  contains 
more  than  many  an  octavo  of  high  price. 

But  while  it  is  important  that  no  American  citizen  should  be 
ignorant  of  the  principal  events  in  the  history  of  his  country, 
it  is  the  indispensible  duty  of  all,  who  can  enjoy  the  opportu 
nity,  to  read  and  to  study  the  larger  and  more  particular  histories 
which  have  been  published.  There  is  little  danger  that  this  small 
and  favored  class  will  neglect  this  duty.  The  danger  is  great 
er,  that  much  the  most  numerous  portion  of  the  population— 
that  portion  in  whose  hands  are  the  destinies  of  the  republic — 
would  read  nothing  on  the  subject  should  expensive  works  onlr 
be 


AT  a  meeting  of  the  American  Academy  of  Language  and  Belles 
JLettres,  held  at  the  City-Hall,  in  the  city  of  New-York,  October  20, 
1320,— Hon.  Brockholst  Livingston,  First  Vice-President,  in  the 
chair ;  Rev.  John  B.  Romeyn,  D.  D.  Clerk, — the  following  preamble 
and  resolution,  offered  by  W.  S.  Cardell,  Esq.  seconded  by  the  Rev. 
Doctor  Wain wright,  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

As  the  proper  education  of  youth  is,  in  all  communities  closely 
connected  with  national  prosperity  and  honor;  and  as  it  is  particularly 
important  in  the  United  States,  that  the  rising  generation  should 
possess  a  correct  knowledge  of  their  own  country,  and  a  patriotic 
attachment  to  its  welfare ; — 

Resolved,,  that  a  premium  of  not  less  than  four  hundred  dollars, 
and  a  gold  medal  worth  fifty  dollars,  be  given  to  the  author,  being  aa 
American  citizen,  who,  within  two  years,  shall  produce  the  best 
written  history  of  the  United  States,  and  which,  with  such  history, 
shall  contain  a  suitable  exposition  of  the  situation,  character,  and  in 
terests,  absolute  and  relative,  of  the  American  Republic :  calculated 
for  a  class-book  in  academies  and  schools.  This  work  is  to  be  ex 
amined  and  approved  by  a  committee  of  the  institution,  in  reference 
to  the  interest  of  its  matter,  the  justness  of  its  facts  and  principles,  the 
purity,  perspicuity,  and  elegance  of  Us  style,  and  its  adaptation  to  its 
intended  purpose. 

By  order  of  the  Academy, 

ALEX.  Me  LEOD,  Rcc'g  Sec'ry. 

The  undersigned,  being  appointed  a  committee  with  full  powers 
to  examine  the  several  works  submitted,  and  award  the  medal  and 
premium  in  pursuance  of  the  above  resolution,  having  perused  four 
books  offered  by  different  authors,  according  to  the  conditions  requir 
ed,  have  selected  one  as  being  the  best  of  the  four;  and  after  referring 
it  to  its  author  for  such  minor  corrections  as  might  render  it  more 
acceptable  to  the  public,  do  now  finally  adjudge  said  medal  and  pre 
mium  to  be  due  to  the  writer  of  the  work  recently  printed,  entitled, 
"A  HISTORY  of  the  UNITED  STATES,  from  their  first 
Settlement  as  Colonies,  to  the  close  of  the  War  with 
Great  Britain,  in  1815. 

"Civitas,  incredibile  inetnoratu  est,  adepta  libertate,  quantum  brevi  creveri'."  • 
Sallitit. 

WM.  P.  VAN  NESS,  1 

ALEXR.  Me  LEOD,    >  Committee. 

Jicofl  MORTON,        S 


CONTENTS. 


Page 
Introduction      '-•».«.---»...„          5 

History  of  Virginia         -.--...-...        15 
Massachusetts  ----------        05 

New-Hampshire       --------..        52 

Connecticut        ----.---.-..        56 

Rhode  Island     -----------        62 

New- York          ------.----        64 

New-Jersey        -----------        73 

Delaware  -----------        82 

Pennsylvania      -----------        83 

Maryland  -..-.--.-.-        87 

North-Carolina          ----------        90 

South-Carolina          ----------        94 

Georgia  .--...-..--        99 

French  War  of  1756-63  -----      103 

Revolution -----118 

Revolution         -----------      130 

Expedition  against  Canada    -------      -149 

Campaign  of  1776  ---------153 

Campaign  of  1777  *.--.--•--      167 

Campaign  of  1778  ---------176 

Campaign  of  1779  ---------181 

Campaign  of  1780  -      186 

Campaign  of  1781,  and  termination  of  the  War     -      -      -      192 
Adoption  of  the  Constitution,  and  Washington's  Administration  203 
Mr.  Adams's,  Mr.  Jefferson's,  and  part  of  Mr.  Madison's  Ad 
ministration — Declaration  of  War          -----      220 
Campaign  of  1812  „_-_-----      035 

Campaign  of  1813  --- 241 

Campaign  of  1814— Conclusion  of  the  War      -   ''-'  '         -      252 
Appendix  -      -      v*   .*      -      -      -      -  •-/*    <•>«."» 


HISTOkl 


OF   THE 


UNITED    STATES 


INTRODUCTION. 


THE  continent  of  America  was  probably  unknown  to  Ine 
ancients.  If  once  known,  as  some  have  supposed,  to  the  Car 
thaginians,  the  Scandinavians,  and  the  Welsh,  all  knowledge  of 
it  was  afterwards  lost.  The  discovery  of  this  extensive  region, 
constituting  nearly  one  halt'  of  the  habitable  globe,  was  the  acci 
dental  result  of  the  attempts,  made  in  the  fifteenth  century,  to 
find  a  passage,  by  sea,  from  the  ports  of  Europe  to  the  East 
Indies,  whose  precious  commodities  were  then  transported,  over 
land,  by  a  long,  dangerous,  and  expensive  route. 

2.  This  passage  was  universally  sought  by  sailing  south,  along 
the  western  coasts  of  Europe  and  Africa,  in  the  hope  of  find 
ing  the  termination  of  the  continent,  when  the  Indies,  it  was 
supposed,  might  be  attained,  by  taking  at  first  an  easterly  and 
then  a  northerly  course.     The  discovery  of  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope,  in  1487,  encouraged  expectation,  and  gave  increased  ac 
tivity  to  the  spirit  of  adventure. 

3.  Among  the  navigators  of  that  age,  Christopher  Columbus, 
a  native  of  the  republic  of  Genoa,  was  distinguished  for  experi 
ence  and  skill  in  his  profession,  for  extensive  knowledge,  and 
for  a  bold  and  original  genius.     The  shape  of  the  earth,  then 
known  to  be  round,  and  the  fact  that  pieces  of  carved  wood,  a 
canoe,  and  two  human  bodies,  of  a  complexion  different  from 
that  of  Europeans,  had  been  driven,  by  long  westerly  winds, 
upon  the  shores  of  islands  contiguous  toEurope,  suggested  to 
his  observing  mind  the  project  of  seeking  the  East  Indies  by 

sr  dirortiv  west- 


B  INTRODUCTION. 

4.  Unable  to  defray  the  Expenses  of  an  expedition,  he  sought 
first  the .assistance  of  hh  native  dry.     His  countrymen,  accus 
tomed  only  to  cruising,  in •  frail,  vwsvsels,  along  the  shores  of  the 
continent,  treated  the  project  as  chimerical,  and  declined  furnish 
ing  aid.     A  pressing  application  4:0  the  king  of  Portugal,  in 
whose  dominions  he  had  resided,  met  likewise  with  ridicule  and 
rejection.     Persevering  in  his  purpose,  lie  then  sent  his  brother, 
Bartholomew,  to  England,  to  apply  to  Henry  VII,  and  went 
himself  to  Spain,  which  was  then  governed  by  Ferdinand  and 
Isabella,  from  whom  he  solicited  assistance. 

5.  For  a  long  time  he  solicited  in  vain.    At  length  the  queen, 
persuaded  by  his  representations,  became  his  friend  and  patron. 
By  her  direction,  three  small  vessels  were  fitted  out,  and  he  was 
authorised  to  sail  with  these  upon  his  projected  voyage  of  dis 
covery.     On  the  third  of  August,  1492,  he  departed  from  Palos, 
in  Spain,  directing  his  course  towards  the  Canary  islands. 

G.  He  stopped  there  to  refit,  and,  on  the  sixth  of  September, 
boldly  adventured  into  seas  which  no  vessel  had  yet  entered, 
with  no  chart  to  direct  him,  no  guide  but  his  compass,  and  with 
out  any  knowledge  of  the  tides  or  currents  which  might  inter 
rupt  his  course.  He  moved  rapidly  before  the  trade  wind, 
which  blows  invariably  from  the  east  to  the  west  between  the 
tropics,  judiciously  concealing  from  his  ignorant  and  timid  crews 
the  progress  he  made,  lest  they  might  be  alarmed  at  the  speed 
with  which  they  receded  from  home. 

7.  About  the  fourteenth  of  September,  he  was  distant  nearly 
six  hundred  miles  from  the  most  westerly  of  the  Canaries,  and 
here  the  magnetic  needle  was  observed  to  vary  from  its  direc 
tion  to   the  polar  star,  and  incline  towards  the  west ;  an  ap 
pearance  which,  although  now  familiar,  had  never  before  been 
observed. 

8.  Columbus  and  his  companions  were  alarmed.     They  were 
far  from  land,  and  far  from  the  trades  of  other  navigators.     All 
before  and  around  them  was  unknown,  and  their  only  guide 
seemed  to  be  iio  longer  entitled  to  their  confidence.  But  although 
alarmed,  Columbus  lost  not  his  presence  of  mind.     He  assigned 
a  reason  for  the  variation,  which,  without  satisfying  himself, 
silenced  the  jmirnmrs  of  his  companions. 

9.  But  the   interval  of  quiet  «»wl  subordination  was   short. 
Disaffection  soon  reappeared  among  the  ignorant  and  wavering, 
and,  gradually  spreading,  at  length  pervaded  the  whole  squadron. 
The  men  blamed  their  sovereign  for  listening  to  the  schemes  of 
a  dreaming  adventurer.     The  indications  of  land  had  all  proved 
fallacious.     Thev  would  be  amnsed  and  deceived  no  longer. 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

They  agreed  that  Columbus  should  Vt  forced  to  relinquish  an 
undertaking  which  seemed  tQ-  promise  nothing,  but  /Seduction  ; 
and  some  of  the  more  darin'g,  talked  of  irb-A*i%ftini  'into  the 
sea,  as  a  visionary  projector,  whose  death  would  cause  no  regret, 
and  produce  no  inquiry. 

10.  Amidst  these  difficulties,  Columbus  displayed  those  traits 
of  character  which  proved  the  greatness  of  his  mind,  and  his  pe 
culiar  fitness  for  the  arduous  duties  of  his  station.    He  appeared 
with  a  steady  and  cheerful  countenance,  as  if  satisfied  with  what 
he  had  done.    Sometimes  he  soothed  his  companions  by  holding- 
out  to  them  a  prospect  of  riches  and  of  fame,  and  by  offering  a 
gratuity  to  him  who  should  first  discover  land.     Sometimes  he 
assumed  a  tone  of  authority,  threatening  them  with  the  ven 
geance  of  their  sovereign,  and  everlasting  infamy,  should  they 
compel  him  to  abandon  the  undertaking. 

11.  These  encouragements  and  threats  prevented  open  and 
forcible  resistance  to  his  authority.     Meanwhile  the  squadron 
proceeded  onward  ;  the  indications  of  land  had  become  frequent, 
and  convinced  him  that  it  could  not  be  far  distant.    But  his  crew 
were  unconvinced,  and  their  discontent  increased.     Assembling 
tumultuously  on  deck,  they  demanded  to  be  conducted  back  to 
Spain.     As  a  last  expedient,  he  proposed  that  they  should  con 
tinue  on  their  course  three  days  longer,  and  if,  in  that  time,  land 
should  not  be  discovered,  he  would  then  comply  with  their 
demand. 

12.  They  consented.     Before  the  time  expired,  Columbus, 
on  the  llth  of  October,  at  midnight,  saw  a  light  glimmering  at 
a  distance.     "  A  light !    a  light !"  was  the  joyful  exclamation, 
which  instantly  resounded  through  the  squadron.     On  the  ap 
proach  of  morning,  all  hands  stood  gazing  intently  in  the  direc 
tion  where  land,  it  was  expected,  would  be  discovered. 

13.  Soon,  ou  board  the  Pinta,  the  most  forward  vessel,  was 
heard  the  cry  of  "  Land !  land !"  which  was  repeated,  with 
almost  frantic  delight,  by  the  crews  of  the  other  vessels.  Passing 
from  one  extreme  to  the  other,  they,  who  a  few  days  before  had 
reviled  and  insulted  their  commander,  now  regarded  him  as  one 
whom  the  Deity  had  endowed  with  knowledge  and  penetration 
above  the  common  lot  of  mortals. 

14.  At  sunrise,  Columbus,  in  a  rich  and  splendid  dress,  land 
ed,  and,  with  a  drawn  sword  in  his  hand,  and  displaying  the 
royal  standard,  took  possession  of  the  island  for  the  crown  ot 
Spain,  all  his  followers  kneeling  on  the  shore  and  kissing  the 
ground  with  tears  of  joy.     The  natives?  who  had  assembled  ia 


10  INTRODUCTION. 

great  numbers  on  the  first  appearance  of  the  ships,  stood  around 
the  Spaniards,,  §azi»g  \n  speechless  astonishment. 

15.  t*y£ke  Eunbpea'os  .w^rt?  h.atdly  less  amazed  at  the  scene 
before  them.     Every  herb,  and  shrub,  and  tree  was  different 
from  those  which  flourished  in  Europe.     The  inhabitants  ap 
peared  in  the  simple  innocence  of  nature,  entirely  naked.    Their 
black  hair,  long  and  uncurled,  floated  upon  their  shoulders  or 
was  bound  in  tresses  around  their  heads.     Though  not  tall,  they 
were  well  shaped  and  active.     They  were  shy  at  first,  through 
fear,  but  soon  became  familiar  with  the  Spaniards ;  from  whom, 
with  transports  of  joy,  the}  received  various  trinkets,  for  which 
in  return  they  gave  such  provisions  as  they  had,  and  some  cotton 
yarn,  the  only  commodity  of  value  they  could  produce." 

16.  To  this  island  Columbus  gave  the  name  of  San  Salvador. 
The  natives  called  it  Guanahani,  and  by  that  name  it  is  now 
known.     It  is  one  of  the  Bahama  isles,  and  is  above  three  thou 
sand  miles  from  Gomera,  the  most  western  of  the  Canaries. 
From  the  poverty  and  ignorance  of  the  inhabitants,  Columbus 
was  convinced  that  he  had  not  yet  arrived  at  the  rich  country 
which  was  the  object  of  his  search.     Leaving  Guanahani,  he 
discovered  and  visited  several  other  islands,  and  at  length  arrived 
at  one  called  Hayti,  by  the  natives,  and  by  him,  Hispaniola. 
Here  he  remained  a  few  weeks,  and  then  returned  to  Spain. 

17.  The  news  ol  his  wonderful  discovery  filled  the  kingdom 
with  astonishment  and  joy.     His  reception  at  court  was  accom 
panied  by  flattering  and  splendid  ceremonies  ordained  for  the 
occasion ;  and  he  was  honored  by  many  proofs  of  royal  favor. 
He  made  three  subsequent  voyages,  and,  in  1498,  discovered 
the  continent  of  America,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Oronoco,  a  river 
of  the  third  or  fourth  magnitude  in  the  New  World,  but  far  sur 
passing  the  largest  in  the  Old. 

18.  The  honor,  however,  of  first  discovering  the  continent, 
must,  without  diminishing  the  merit  of  Columbus,  be  given  to 
John  Cabot  and  his  son  Sebastian.     They  were  Venetians  by 
birth,  but,  soon  after  the  result  of  the  first  voyage  of  Columbus 
was  known,  were  sent,  by  the  king  of  England,  on  an  expedition 
of  discovery,  in  the  same  direction.     In  June,  1497,  they  ar 
rived  at  the  island  of  Newfoundland,  in  North  America,  and, 
proceeding  westward,   soon  after  reached  the   continent.     It 
being  their  object  also  to  find  a  direct  passage  to  the  East 
Indies,  they  first  sailed  northwardly  in  search  of  it,  as  far  as  the 
57th  degree  of  latitude  ;  then,  returning,  cruised  along  the  coast 
to  East  Florida  ;  and  thence  sailed  to  England  without  having 


INTRODUCTION.  11 

made  any  settlement.  Upon  the  discoveries  made  in  this  voyage 
the  English  founded  their  claim  to  the  eastern  portion  of  North 
America. 

19.  In  1499,  Alonzo  de  Ojeda,  a  companion  of  Columbus  in 
his  first  expedition,  sailing  under  the  patronage  of  several  Por 
tuguese  merchants,  discovered  the  continent  at  Paria,  in  the  fifth 
degree  of  north  latitude.     Americus  Vespucius,  a  Florentine 
gentleman  who  accompanied  him,  published,  on  his  return,  an 
account  of  the  voyage  and  a  description  of  the  country  which 
they  had  visited  ;  and  from  him  it  derives  the  name  it  bears. 

20.  In  1504,  several  adventurous  navigators,  from  different 
parts  of  France,  came,  in  small  vessels,  to  fish  on  the  banks  of 
Newfoundland.     In  1524,  John  Verrazzano,  a  Florentine,  in 
the  employment  of  the  king  of  France,  sailed  along  the  coast  of 
America,  from  Florida  to  the  50th  degree  of  north  latitude. 
He  is  supposed  to  have  entered  the  harbor  of  New  York.     He 
made,  the  next  year,  another  voyage,  from  which  he  never 
returned,  nor  is  it  known  by  what  disaster  he  perished. 

21.  During  the  next  forty  years,  frequent  voyages  were  made 
to  the  coast  of  North  America.     Of  some,  the  object  was  fish 
ing  ;  of  others,  trade  with  the  natives.     In  1540,  the  French 
made  an  attempt  to  plant  a  colony  in  Canada,  which  was  unsuc 
cessful. 

22.  The  religious  wars  which  afflicted  France  in  the  sixteenth 
century,  induced  that  illustrious  statesman,  Jasper  Coligni,  the 
bead  of  the  Protestant  sect,  to  project,  in  1502,  a  settlement  in 
America,  to  which  his  brethren  might  retire  from  the  persecu 
tion  of  the  Catholics.     Fitting  out  two  ships,  he  sent  them  thi 
ther  under  the  command  of  John  Ribaut,  who  landed  at  a  place 
supposed  to  be  within  the  limits  of  South  Carolina,  built  a  fort, 
left  a  part  of  his  men,  and  returned  to  France. 

23.  The  men  who  were  left,  soon  after  mutinied,  killed  their 
commander,  built  and  equipped  a  vessel  and  put  to  sea.    Having 
been  out  several  weeks  and  consumed  all  their  provisions,  one 
of  their  number,  who  consented  to  be  made  a  victim  to  save  his 
comrades,  was  killed  and  eaten.     A  few  days  afterwards,  they 
were  taken  "up  by  an  English  vessel  and  carried  to  England. 
This  was  the  first  attempt  to  plant  a  colony  within  the  limits  of 
the  United  States ;  and  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  that  to  secure  an 
asylum  from  religious  persecution  was  the  object  in  view.     Co 
ligni  afterwards  sent  a  party  to  Florida,  who  were  treacherously 
massacred  by  the  Spaniards. 

24.  In  1583,  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert,  having  received  from 
queen  Elizabeth  a  grant  of  such  "  remote,  heathen,  and  barba- 


12  INTRODUtTTTOX. 

rous  lands"  as  be  might  discover  and  occupy,  fitted  out  a  squad- 
dron  of  five  ships,  and  sailed  for  America.  On  arriving  before 
St.  John,  in  Newfoundland,  he  found  thirty  six  vessels  fishing  in 
the  harbor.  He  landed  and  took  possession  of  the  country  in 
the  name  of  his  sovereign.  On  his  return  to  England,  he  suf 
fered  shipwreck  and  perished. 

25.  The  next  year,  sir  Walter  Raleigh,  distinguished  in  the 
history  of  England  as  a  gallant  knight  and  as  the  favorite  of  the 
queen,  obtained  a  renewal  of  the  patent  granted  to  sir  Humphrey, 
who  was  his  half  brother,  and  despatched  to  America  two  ship.*! 
commanded  by  captains  Amidas  and  Barlow.     They  first  landed 
on  an  island  in  the  inlet  to  Pamplico  sound,  then  proceeded  to 
the  isle  of  Roanoke  at  the  mouth  of  Albermarle  sound,  in  North 
Carolina,  and  at  both  places  were  treated  with  great  respect  by 
the  natives. 

26.  Having  freighted  their  ships  with  furs,  sassafras,  and  ce 
dar,  they  returned  to  England,  where  they  published  marvellous 
accounts  of  the  beauty  of  the  country,  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  the 
mildness  of  the  climate,  and  the  innocence  of  the  natives.     The 
queen  was  so  charmed  with  the  description  that,  as  a  memorial 
that  the  country  had  been  discovered  during  the  reign  of  a  virgin 
queen,  she  called  it  Virginia. 

27.  The  next  year,  Raleigh  sent  from  England  a  fleet  of 
seven  vessels,  commanded  by  Sir  Richard  Grenville,  and  car 
rying  upwards  of  one  hundred  persons,  destined  to  begin  a  set 
tlement.     They  were   left  under  Ralph  Lane,   on    Roan  ok  •> 
island.     The  success  of  the  Spaniards  in  finding  gold  in  South 
America,  led  these  adventurers  to  employ  their  time  in  a  fruit 
less  search  for  it  here.     In  1586,  they  were  visited  by  Sir 
Francis  Drake,  who,  at  their  request,  conveyed  them  back  to 
England.      Lane  carrying  home  a  quantity  of  tobacco,   the 
Indian  custom  of  smoking  it  was  adopted  by  Raleigh,  a  man  of 
gaiety  and  fashion,  and  introduced  at  court. 

28.  Soon  after  Drake  departed,  Grenville  again  arrived  with 
provisions  for  the  settlement.     Finding  it  abandoned,  he  left 
fifteen  men  to  keep  possession  of  the  country.     In  1587,  three 
other  ships  were  sent  to  the  same  place,  but  the  men  who  had 
been  left  could  not  be  found,  having  probably  been  murdered 
by  the  savages.     After  remaining  a  lew  weeks  on  the  coast,  the 
ships  returned  to  England,  leaving  one  hundred  and  seventeen 
men  on  the  island.     War  then  existing  between  England  and 
Spain,  two  years  elapsed  before  the  coast  was  again  visited.     In 
that  period  the  whole  number  perished ;  but  in  what  manner 


INTRODUCTION.  13 

lias  never  been  ascertained.      Thus  ended  the  exertions  ot 
Raleigh  to  plant  a  colony  in  America. 

29.  These  successive  misfortunes  withdrew  for  several  years 
the  attention  of  the  English  from  these  distant  regions.     In 
1602,  Bartholomew  Gosnold  made  a  voyage  to  America.     In 
stead  of  taking  the  circuitous,  but  usual  route,  by  the  West  India 
islands,  he  steered  directly  west  from  England,  shortening  the 
voyage  at  least  one  third,  and  arrived,  in  May,  on  the  coast  of 
Massachusetts.     He  discovered  a  head  land,  and  taking  a  great 
quantity  of  codfish  near  it,  called  it  Cape  Cod.     Proceeding 
southwardly,  he  passed  Gay  Head,  entered  Buzzard's  bay,  and 
upon  an  island  within  it  erected  a  small  fort,  the  ruins  of  which 
were  visible  so  late  as  1797.     After  trading  a  while  with  the 
Indians  he  returned  home. 

30.  The  report  made  by  Gosnold  revived  the  spirit  of  adven 
ture.     In  1603  and  1605,  two  voyages  were  made  in  the  same 
direction,  and  Penobscot  bay,  Massachusetts  bay  and  the  rivers 
between  them  were  discovered.     The  accounts  given  by  the  last 
navigators  confirmed  the  report  of  Gosnold,  and  led  to  a  more 
extensive  scheme  of  colonization  than  had  yet  been  attempted. 

31.  Of  this  scheme,  Mr.  Richard  Hakluyt  was  the  most  ac 
tive  promoter.     By  his  persuasion  an  association  of  gentlemen, 
in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom,  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of 
sending  colonies  to  America.     Upon  their  application  to  king 
James,  he,  by  letters  patent,  dated  in  1606,  divided  the  country 
of  Virginia,  then  considered  as  extending  from  the  southern 
boundary  of  North  Carolina  to  the  northern  boundary  of  Maine, 
into  two  districts,  and  constituted  two  companie3  for  planting 
colonies  within  them. 

32.  The  southern  district  he  granted  to  sir  Thomas  Gates 
and  his  associates,  chiefly  resident  in  London,   and  therefore 
styled  the  London  company.     The  northern  district  he  granted 
to  Thomas  Hanham  and  his  associates,  who  were  styled  the  Ply 
mouth  company.     The  two  districts  were  called  South   and 
North  Virginia.     The  members  of  these  companies  were  prin 
cipally  merchants ;  their  objects  were  the  extension  of  commerce 
and  the  discovery  of  mines  of  the  precious  metals,  which  were 
supposed  to  abound  in  North  as  well  as  in  South  America. 

S3.  For  the  supreme  government  of  the  colonies,  a  grand 
council  was  instituted,  the  members  of  which  were  to  reside  in 
England,  and  to  be  appointed  by  the  king.  The  subordinate 
jurisdiction  was  committed  to  a  council  in  each  colony,  the  mem 
bers  of  which  were  to  be  appointed  by  the  grand  council  in  Eng 
land,  and  to  be  governed  by  its  instructions.  To  the  emigrants 


14  INTRODUCTION 

and  their  descendants  were  secured  the  enjoyment  of  ail  the 
rights  of  denizens  or  citizens,  in  the  same  manner  and  to  the 
same  extent  as  if  they  had  remained  or  been  born  in  England. 

34.  Before  the  date,  however,  of  these  letters  patent,  the  king 
of  France  granted  to  the  Sieur  De  Monts  all  the  territory  from 
the  40th  to  the  46th  degree  of  north  latitude,  or  from  New  Jer 
sey  to  Nova  Scotia,  then  called  Acadie.  By  virtue  of  this  grant. 
a  settlement  was  made  in  1604,  on  the  south  eastern  side  of  the 
bay  of  Fundy,  and  called  Port  Royal.  In  1608,  Samuel 
Champlain,  the  agent  of  De  Monts,  laid  the  foundation  of  Que 
bec,  the  capital  of  Canada.  From  these  possessions  of  the 
French,  the  colonies  of  New  England  and  New  York  were, 
for  more  than  a  century,  frequently  and  cruelly  annoyed 


CHAPTER  1. 
HISTORY  OF  VIRGINIA. 


THE  London  company,  soon  after  its  incorporation  in  1606, 
despatched  to  America  three  ships,  having  on  board  one  hun 
dred  and  five  persons  destined  to  begin  a  settlement  in  South 
Virginia.  Christopher  Newport  commanded  the  squadron. 
He  was  accompanied  by  captain  Gosnold  and  other  distinguished 
individuals  ;  some  allured  by  curiosity,  and  some  by  the  prospect 
of  gain,  to  visit  a  country  said  to  be  inhabited  by  a  new  race  of 
beings,  and  to  abound  in  silver  and  gold. 

2.  A  sealed  box  was  delivered  to  Newport,  with  directions 
that  it  should  not  be  opened  until  twenty-four  hours  after  the 
emigrants  had  landed  in  America.     During  the  voyage,  violent 
dissensions  arose  among  the  principal  personages  on  board  the 
squadron.     Of  most  of  them,  John  Smith,  one  of  the  adventu 
rers,  incurred  the  distrust  and  hatred.     His  superior  talents,  and 
the  fame  he  had  acquired  by  his  exploits  in  war,  excited  their 
envy,  and  probably  caused  him  to  ciaim  for  himself  greater 
deference  than  they  were  willing  or  bound  to  yield. 

3.  In  his  youth,  he  had  been  a  merchant's  apprentice.    At  the 
age  of  fifteen,  he  quitted  his  master  and  travelled  in  France,  the 
Netherlands,  Egypt,  and  Germany.    Having  joined  the  army  of 
the  emperor  of  Austria,  who  was  then  at  war  with  the  Turks,  he 
received,  as  a  reward  for  a  successful  stratagem,  the  command 
of  a  troop  of  horse. 

4.  In  three  personal  combats  with  Turkish  champions,  he 
came  off  victorious,  at  each  time  killing  his  adversary.     In  a 
battle  which  subsequently  took  place,  he  was  wounded  and  taken 
prisoner.     After  his  recovery,  he  was  sent  as  a  slave  to  Con 
stantinople.    He  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  a  cruel  master ;  but 
his    mistress,   captivated  by  his  fine  appearance  and   heroic 
character,  and  commiserating  his  fate,  sent  him,  in  the  absence 
of  her  husband,  to  her  brother,  who  dwelt  near  the  sea  of  Asoph. 
He,  disregarding  her  directions,  assigned  to  Smith  degrading  ann 
laborious  tasks,  and  beat  him  without  mercy  whenever  he  failed 
to  perform  them. 

5.  Seizing  a  favorable  opportunity,  he  killed  his  new  mastei 
and  fled  into  Russia.     After  visiting  Germany,  France,  Spain, 
and  Morocco,  he  returned  to  England,  became  acquainted  with 
Gosnold,  and  was  easily  persuaded  to  embark  in  an  expedition 


16  VIRGINIA. 

to  a  country  he  had  not  yet  visited,  in  search  of  new  scenes  and 
new  adventures.  While  yet  at  sea,  he  was  accused  of  an  inten 
tion  to  murder  the  council,  usurp  the  government,  and  make 
himself  king  of  Virginia  ;  and  upon  this  absurd  accusation  was 
put  in  confinement. 

6.  The  place  of  their  destination  was  the  disastrous    position 
at  Roanoke.     A  storm  fortunately  drove  them  to  the  mouth  of 
Chesapeake  bay,  which  they  entered  on  the  26th  of  April,  1607 
Discovering  a  large  and  beautiful  river,  they  gave  it  the  name 
of  James  River,  ascended  it,  and  on  its  banks  had  several  inter 
views  with  the  natives. 

7.  In  one  of  these  a  chief  came  forward,  holding  in  one  hand 
his  bow  and  arrows,  in  the  other  a  pipe  of  tobacco,  and  demand 
ed  the  cause  of  their  coming.     They  made  signs  of  peace,  and 
were  received  as  friends.     Paspiha,  another  chief,  when  inform 
ed  of  their  wish  to  settle  in  the  country,  offered  them  as  much 
land  as  they  wanted,  and  sent  them  a  deer  for  their  entertain 
ment. 

8.  On  the  13th  of  May,  they  debarked  at  a  place  which  they 
called  Jamestown.     On  opening  the  sealed  box,  it  was  found  to 
contain  the  names  of  the  council  and  instructions  for  their  guid 
ance.    In  the  list  were  the  names  of  Gosnold,  Smith,  Wingfield, 
and  Newport.     Wingfield  was  elected  president,  and  a  vote  was 
passed  excluding  Smith  from  his  seat  at  the  board.     He  was, 
however,  released  from  confinement. 

9.  The  whole  country  was  then  a  wilderness,  in  which  a  few 
Indians  roamed  in  pursuit  of  their  enemies,  or  of  wild  beasts  for 
food.     In  color  they  were  darker  than  the  European,  but  not  so 
black  as  the  negro.     They  possessed  all  the  vices  and  virtues  of 
the  savage  state ;  were  cunning  in  stratagem,  ferocious  in  battle, 
cruel  to  their  conquered  enemies,  kind  and  hospitable  to  their 
friends.    They  had  no  written  language ;  they  were  unacquainted 
with  the  use  of  iron  and  the  other  metals;  their  weapons  of  war 
were  a  bow  and  arrows,  a  stone  hatchet,  which  they  called  a 
tomahawk,  and  a  club.     They  lived  principally  by  hunting,  but 
sometimes  cultivated  small  patches  of  Indian  corn. 

10.  From  such  neighbors  the  emigrants  could  expect  but  little 
aid  or  comfort.    Yet  they  took  no  care  to  provide  for  their  future 
subsistence  or  preservation.    They  planted  nothing  the  first  year. 
The  provisions  brought  from  England  were  soon  consumed.    In 
four  months,  famine  and  the  diseases  of  a  hot  and  damp  climate 
swept  away  fifty  of  their  number. 

11.  These  dreadful  distresses  led  them  to  reflect  upon  their 
situation  and  conduct.    Having  become  sensible  of  their  injustice 
to  Smith,  they,  at  his  request,  had  granted  him  a  trial,  which  re- 


VIRGINIA.  17 

suited  in  an  honorable  acquittal.  His  personal  talents  and  activity 
now  enforced,  in  adversity,  the  same  regard  and  deference  which, 
in  prosperous  times,  are  yielded  only  to  vested  authority  and  offi 
cial  station. 

12.  By  his  advice,  a  fort  was  erected,  to  protect  them  from  the 
attacks  of  the  Indians.     To  procure  provisions  and  explore  the 
country,  he  made  frequent  and  distant  excursions  into  the  wilder 
ness.    In  one  of  these,  he  seized  an  Indian  idol,  made  with  skins 
stuffed  with  moss,  for  the  redemption  of  which  as  much  corn  was 
brought  him  as  he  required.    Sometimes  he  procured  supplies  by 
caresses,  sometimes  by  purchase,  and  when  these  means  failed  of 
success,  he  scrupled  not  to  resort  to  stratagem  and  violence. 

13.  But  in  the  midst  of  his  activity  and  usefulness,  he  was, 
while  exploring  the  source  of  the  river  Chickahominy,  surprised 
and  attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians.    He  defended  himself  bravely 
until  his  companions  were  killed,  when  he  turned  to  flee.    Run 
ning  at  hazard,  he  sunk  to  his  neck  in  a  swamp  and  was  taken 
prisoner. 

14.  The  exulting  savages  conducted  him  in  triumph,  through 
several  towns,  to  their  king,  Powhatan.    At  the  end  of  six  weeks, 
their  chiefs  assembled  to  deliberate  on  his  fate.     They  decided 
that  he  should  die.    He  was  led  forth  to  execution ;  his  head  was 
placed  upon  a  stone,  and  an  Indian  stood  near  with  a  club,  the 
instrument  of  death.    At  this  instant,  Pocahontas,  the  young  and 
favorite  daughter  of  the  king,  appeared,  and  rushing  between  the 
executioner  and  the  prisoner,  folded  his  head  in  her  arms  and 
entreated  her  father  to  spare  his  life.    Powhatan  relented,  direct 
ed  Smith  to  be  conducted  to  his  wigwam  or  hut,  and  soon  after 
wards  sent  him,  escorted  by  twelve  guides,  to  Jamestown. 

15.  On  his  arrival  there,  he  found  the  number  of  settlers  re 
duced  to  thirty  eight,  and  most  of  these  had  determined  to  aban 
don  the  country.     By  persuasions  and  threats,  he  induced  a  ma 
jority  to  relinquish  their  design.    The  remainder,  more  resolute, 
wen*  on  board  a  small  vessel  in  the  river.     Against  these  he  in 
stantly  directed  the  guns  of  the  fort,  when,  to  avoid  the  danger 
of  being  sunk,  they  hastened  back  to  their  companions. 

16.  Sustaining  now  a  high  reputation  among  the  Indians.,  lie 
obtained  from  them  occasional  supplies  of  provisions  which  pre 
served  the  colony  from  famine.     The  princess  Pocaiiontas  also, 
remembering  him  whose  life  she  had  saved,  frequently  sent  him 
such  articles  as  were  most  needed.     The  settlers  were  thus  ena 
bled  to  subsist  until  Captain  Newport,  who  had  returned  to  Eng 
land,  again  arrived  at  Jamestown,  with  a  quantity  of  provisions, 
and  one  hundred  and  twenty  persons,  who  came  to  reside  in  the 
colonv. 


18  VIRGINIA. 

17.  All  danger  being  in  appearance  over,  the  emigrants  no 
longer  submitted  to  the  authority,  nor  listened  to  the  advice,  of 
Smith.     Disorder  and  confusion  followed  ;  and  about  this  time, 
that  raging  passion  for  gold,  which  first  impelled  Europeans  to 
resort  to  this  country,  was  again  excited.     In  a  stream  north  of 
Jamestown,  a  glittering  earth  was  discovered  which  was  supposed 
to  be  gold  dust.     "Immediately,"  says  Stith,  in  his  history, 
"  there  was  no  thought,  no  discourse,  no  hope,  and  no  work,  but 
to  dig  gold,  wash  gold,  refine  gold,  and  load  gold."    And  notwith 
standing  the  remonstrances  of  Smith,  a  ship  wras  freighted  with 
this  worthless  commodity  and  sent  to  England. 

18.  Finding  he  could  not  be  useful  at  Jamestown,  and  unwil 
ling  to  be  idle,  Smith  set  out  upon  an  expedition  to  explore  the 
coasts  of  the  Chesapeake.     With  great  labor  and  fatigue,  he  ex 
amined  every  inlet,  river,  and  bay,  as  far  as  the  moulh  of  the 
Rappahannock ;  whence,  his  provisions  being  exhausted,  he  re 
turned  home. 

19.  He  found  the  people  turbulent  and  discontented.     They 
charged  the  president  with  squandering  the  public  property,  and 
imposing  upon  them  unnecessary  fatigue,  by  compelling  them  to 
build  for  himself  a  house  of  pleasure  in  the  woods.     He  was  de 
posed  ;  Smith  was  chosen  to  succeed  him ;  he  refused  to  accept 
the  office,  but  no  other  person  was  appointed. 

20.  Having  procured  a  supply  of  provisions,  he  again  departed 
to  complete  the  survey  of  the  Chesapeake.     He  visited  all  the 
countries  on  both  shores  ;  he  traded  with  some  tribes  ;  he  fought 
with  others ;  and  left,  among  all,  the  highest  admiration  of  the 
beneficence  or  valor  of  the  English.     Returning  after  an  absence 
of  six  weeks,  he  was  again  chosen  president.     Yielding  to  the 
general  wish,  he  consented  to  accept  the  office.     Under  his  ad 
ministration,  habits  of  industry  and  subordination  were  formed, 
and  peace  and  plenty  smiled  upon  the  colony. 

21.  In  1609,  the  London  company,  having  obtained  a  new 
charter  conferring  greater  powers  and  privileges  than  the  former, 
despatched  to  Virginia  nine  ships,  carrying  five  hundred  emi 
grants,  and  certain  officers  appointed  to  supersede  the  existing 
government.     The  ship,  in  which  these  officers  embarked,  was 
driven  ashore  on  the  island  of  Bermudas.     The  settlers,  who 
came  in  the  others,  were  licentious,  profligate,  and  disorderly. 
Assuming  the  power  of  disposing  of  the  government,  they  con 
ferred  it  sometimes  on  one,  and  sometimes  on  another. 

22.  In  this  confusion,  Smith  hesitated  but  a  short  time  in  de 
ciding  what  course  to  pursue.     He  determined  that  his  authority 
was  not  suspended  until  the  arrival  of  the  persons  appointed  to 
supersede  him.  and  resumed,  with  a  strong  hand,  the  reins  of 


VIRGINIA.  19 

government.     He  boldly  imprisoned  the  leaders  of  the  sedition^ 
and  restored  for  a  time  regularity  and  obedience. 

23.  Tbe  Indians,  jealous  of  the  increasing  power  of  the 
strangers  who  had  invaded  their  country,  concerted  a  plot  to 
destroy  them.     Pocahontas,   the  constant  friend  of  Virginia, 
hastened,  in  a  dark  and  dreary  night,  to  Jamestown,  and  informed 
Smith  of  his  danger.     Measures  of  precaution  were  instantly 
taken.    The  Indians,  perceiving  that  their  design  was  discovered, 
again  brought  presents  of  peace  to  the  English. 

24.  Soon  after,  Smith,  having  received  by  accident  a  severe 
wound,  returned  to  England  to  procure  the  aid  of  a  surgeon. 
Disastrous  consequences  followed.     The  Indians,  learning  that 
the  man  whom  they  dreaded  most  had  left  the  colony,  attacked 
it  with  united  forces.     A  dreadful  famine  ensued.     To  such  ex 
tremity  were  the  settlers  reduced,  that  they  devoured  the  skir;s 
of  the  horses,  the  bodies  of  the  Indians  whom  they  had  killed, 
and  at  last  those  of  their  own  companions,  who  had  sunk  under 
accumulated  miseries.    These  tremendous  sufferings  were  recol 
lected  long  afterwards  with  horror,  and  the  period  was  remem 
bered  and  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  "  STARVING  TIME." 

25.  In  six  months,  the  colony,  from  five  hundred  persons,  was 
reduced  to  sixty ;  and  these  were  exceedingly  feeble  and  dejected. 
In  this  situation  they  were  visited  by  those  who  were  shipwrecked 
at  Bermudas.    All  immediately  determined  to  return  to  England. 
For  this  purpose,  the  remnant  of  the  colony  embarked  on  board 
the  ships  just  arrived,  and  sailed  down  the  river.     Fortunately 
they  were  met  by  Lord  Delaware,  who  had  been  appointed  go 
vernor  of  Virginia,  and  who,  having  brought  with  him  a  supply 
o/  provisions,  persuaded  them  to  return  to  Jamestown. 

26.  This  nobleman,  by  the  mildness  of  his  temper  and  his  as- 
siluity  in  business,  restored  order  and  contentment;  and  the 
Indians  were  again  taught  to  respect  and  fear  the  English.    After 
a  short  administration,  he  was  succeeded  by  Sir  Thomas  Dale, 
bj  whom,  on  the  recurrence  of  disorderly  conduct,  martial  law- 
was  proclaimed  and  rigidly  enforced.    In  the  same  year,  [1611,] 
Sir  Thomas  Gates  was  appointed  governor.     He  brought  with 
him  to  Virginia  a  reinforcement  of  settlers,  by  whom  new  towns 
were  founded.     And  another  charter  was  granted  by  the  kintf, 
conferring  additional  privileges. 

27.  In  1612,  captain  Argal  having  learned,  while  on  a  trading 
voyage  to  the  Potomac,  that  Pocahontas  was  in  the  neighborhood, 
visited  and  persuaded  her  to  go  on  board  his  vessel.     He  treated 
her  respectfully,  but  detained  and  carried  her  to  Jamestown. 
He  presumed  that  the  possession  of  Pocahontas  would  jrive  the 
English  an  ascendency  over  Powhatan.  who  was  ktK>wn  to  fee) 


20  VIRGINIA. 

a  strong  attachment  to  his  daughter.  In  this,  however,  he  was 
disappointed.  Powhatan,  noble  by  nature,  felt  indignant  at  this 
instance  of  treachery  in  the  English.  He  offered  a  nnsom  for 
his  daughter,  but  refused  to  consent  to  any  terms  of  peace  until 
she  was  restored. 

28.  During  her  stay  at  Jamestown,  her  beauty,  her  artless 
simplicity,  and  those  graces  of  manner  which  ever  accompany 
dignity  of  mind  and  innocence  of  heart,  won  the  affections  of  Mr, 
Rolfe,  a  young  and  respectable  planter.     He  succeeded  in  pro 
ducing  a  reciprocal  attachment.     They  were  married  with  the 
consent  of  Powhatan.     The  consequence  of  this  marriage  was 
peace  with  her  father,  and  with  all  the  tribes  who  stood  in  awe 
of  his  power. 

29.  Rolfe  and  his  princess  made  a  voyage  to  England,  where 
«he  was  received  by  the  king  and  queen  with  the  attention  due 
to  her  rank.     For  her  virtues,  and  her  disinterested  services,  she 
was  universally  beloved  and  respected.     She  died  when  about  to 
return  to  America,  leaving  one  son,  from  whom  are  descended 
^ome  of  the  most  respectable  families  in  Virginia. 

30.  In  1013,  captain  Argal  was  sent,  with  a  naval  force,  to 
drive  the  French  from  the  settlements  they  had  begun  in  Acadia, 
which  were  considered  to  be  within  the  limits  of  North  Virginia. 
He  accomplished  the  object  of  the  expedition,  and,  when  re 
turning,   visited  a   Dutch   trading  establishment  on  Hudson's 
river,  which  was  also  within  the  same  limits.     The  governor,  too 
feeble  to  resist,  acknowledged  himself  subject  to  the  king  of 
England. 

31.  The  king,  in  his  instructions  given  at  the  time  of  the  fust 
emigration  to  Jamestown,  directed  that  ail  the  land  should  be 
owned  in  common,  and  that  the  produce  of  the  labor  of  all  should 
be  deposited  in  the  public  stores.     In  such  circumstances,  no  one 
would  labor  with  the  same  steadiness  and  animation  as  if  he,  aid 
he  alone,  was  to  possess  and  enjoy  the  fruit  of  his  industry.    A 
different  regulation  was  now  adopted.     To  each  inhabitant,  three 
acres  of  land  were  assigned  in  full  property,  and  he  was  permitted 
to  employ,  in  the  cultivation  of  it,  a  certain  portion  of  his  time. 
The  effects  of  this  alteration  were  immediately  visible,  and  de 
monstrated  so  clearly  its  wisdom,  that  soon  after  another  assign 
ment  of  fifty  acres  was  made ;  and  the  plan  of  working  in  a 
Common  field,  to  fill  the  public  stores,  was  entirely  abandoned. 

32.  Since  the  year  1611,  the  colony  had  been  governed  by 
martial  law,  which  was  administered,  by  deputy  governor  Ar^nl, 
with  so  much  rigor  as  to  excite  universal  discontent.      The 
council  in  England,  listening  to  the  complaints  of  the  Virginian?, 
appointed  Mr.  Ycardly  governor,  and  instructed  him  to  inquire 


VIRGINIA.  21 

into  and  redress  their  wrongs.  He  arrived  in  April,  1619,  and 
immediately,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  inhabitants,  called  a  general 
assembly  of  the  colony.  It  met  at  Jamestown,  on  the  19th  of 
June,  and  was  composed  of  delegates  from  the  boroughs,  then 
amounting  to  seven.  They,  the  governor,  and  the  council,  sat 
and  deliberated  in  the  same  apartment,  and  acted  as  one  body. 

33.  Emigrants  continued  to  arrive  frequently  from  England, 
but  nearly  all  were  men,  who  came  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining 
wealth,  and  intended  eventually  to  return.     With  such  viewrs, 
they  were  evidently  less  useful  to  the  colony  than  *£  they  should 
be  induced  to  regard  it  as  their  home,  and  as  the  abode  of  their 
posterity.     To  produce  this  desirable  attachment  to  the  country, 
ninety  girls,  young  and  uncorrupt,  were  sent  over  in  the  year 
1620,  and  sixty  more  in  the  subsequent  year,  and  immediately 
sold  to  the  young  planters  as  wives.    The  price  was,  at  first,  one 
hundred,  and  aiverwards,  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  of  tobacco, 
then  selling  at  three  shillings  the  pound  :  and  it  was  ordained, 
that  debts,  contracted  for  wives,  should  be  paid  in  preference  to 
all  others. 

34.  About  the  same  time,  another  measure,  of  a  different 
character,  was  adopted.     The  company  were  ordered  by  the 
king  to  transport  to  Virginia  one  hundred  idle  and  dissolute  per 
sons,  then  in  custody  for  their  offences.     They  were  distributed 
through  the  colony,  and  employed  as  laborers. 

35.  A  Dutch  vessel  also  brought  into  James  river  twenty 
Africans,  who  were  immediately  purchased  as  slaves.    This  was 
the  commencement,  in  tne  English  American  colonies,  of  a  traffic 
abhorrent  to  humanity,  disgraceful  to  civilization,  and  fixing  the 
foulest  stain  upon  the  character  of  the  age  and  people. 

36.  The  colony  was  now  in  the  full  tide  of  prosperity.     Its 
numbers  had  greatly  increased,  and  its  settlements  wrere  widely 
extended.     At  peace  with  the  Indians,  it  reposed  in  perfect  se 
curity,  and  enjoyed  without  alloy  all  the  happiness  which  its 
fortunate  situation  and  favorable  prospects  afforded.     It  wa* 
doomed  to  experience  a  reverse  of  fortune,  sudden,  distressing, 
and  terrible. 

37.  Powhatan,  the  friend  of  the  English,  was  dead.    Opecan 
canough,  a  chief  endowed  with  all  those  qualities  which  give 
rank  and  reputation  to  an  Indian  warrior,  had  succeeded  him  in 
his  influence  and  power,  but  he  was  the  secret  and  implacable 
enemy  of  the  whites.     By  his  ait  and  eloquence,  he  united  all 
the  neighboring  tribes  in  the  horrible  design  of  destroying  every 
man,  woman,  and  child  in  the  English  settlements. 

38.  The  plan  was  concerted  and  matured,  with  all  the  secrecy 
and  dissimulation  which  characterize  the  savages.    While  intent 


22  VIRGINIA. 

on  their  plot,  they  vlfited  the  settlements,  lodged  in  the  houses, 
bought  arms  of  the  English,  and  even  borrowed  their  boats  to 
enable  them  to  accomplish  their  barbarous  purpose. 

39.  On  the  evening  before  the  fatal  day,  they  brought  them 
presents  of  game ;  and  the  next  morning  came  freely  among  them, 
behaving  as  usual.    Suddenly,  precisely  at  mid-day,  the  blow  fell, 
at  the  same  instant,  upon  the  unsuspecting  settlers;  and  three 
hundred  and  forty-seven  men,  women,  and  children,  were  victims 
to  savage  treachery  and  cruelty.    The  massacre  would  have  been 
more  extensive  had  not  a  domesticated  Indian,  residing  in  one  of 
the  villages,  revealed  the  plot  to  his  master,  whom  he  had  been 
solicited  to  murder.    Information  was  instantly  given  to  some  of 
the  nearest  settlements,  and  just  in  time  to  save  them  from  the 
calamity  which  fell  upon  the  others. 

40.  The  horrid  spectacle  before  them  roused  the  English  from 
repose  to  vengeance.     A  rindictive  and  exterminating  war  suc 
ceeded.     The  whites  were  victorious,  destroying  many  of  their 
enemies,  and  obliging  the  remainder  to  retire  fiar  into  the  wilder 
ness.     But  their  own  number  melted  away  before  the  miseries 
of  War ;  their  settlements  were  reduced  from  eighty  to  eight,  and 
famine  again  visited  them  with  its  afflicting  scourge.     In  1624, 
out  of  nine  thousand  persons,  who  had  been  sent  from  England, 
but  eighteen  hundred  existed  in  the  colony. 

£1 .  These  continual  misfortunes  attracted  the  attention  of  king 
Ja^es.  He  revoked  the  charter  which  he  had  granted,  and 
committed  the  management  of  all  the  affairs  of  the  colony  to  a 
governor  and  twelve  counsellors,  who  were  to  be  appointed  by 
the  king  and  to  be  guided  by  his  instructions.  Of  these  instruc 
tions,  those  concerning  tobacco,  the  principal  article  exported 
from  the  colony,  may  be  taken  as  a  sample.  It  was  ordained 
that  those  who  raised  it  should  not  themselves  be  permitted  to 
dispose  of  it,  but  should  export  it  to  England,  and  deliver  it  to 
certain  designated  agents ;  and  they  alone  were  authorized  to 
sell  it. 

42.  UiuSer  such  arbitrary  regulations,  the  people  lived  and 
suffered,  until  the  year  1636,  when  sir  John  Harvey  held  the 
office  of  governor.     He  was  haughty,  rapacious,  unfeeling,  and 
fitted,  by  his  disposition,  to  exercise  power  in  the  true  spirit  of 
his  instructions.     Inflamed  to  madness  by  his  oppressions,  the 
Virginians,  in  a  fit  of  popular  rage,  seized  and  sent  him  a  pri 
soner  to  England.     At  the  same  time,  they  despatched  two  de 
puties  charged  to  represent  the  grievances  of  the  colony  and  the 
governor's  misconduct. 

43.  Charles  the  first,  who  was  then  king,  indignant  at  the  vio 
lent  proceeding,  received  the  deputies  sternly,  and  sent  back  the 


VIRGINIA.  23 

governor,  invested  with  all  his  former  powers.  He  was,  how 
ever,  in  1639,  succeeded  by  Sir  William  Berkeley,  who  was  in 
structed  again  to  allow  the  Virginians  to  elect  representatives. 
Such  was  their  gratitude  to  the  king  for  this  favor,  that  during 
the  civil  wars  between  him  and  his  parliament,  they  were  faithful 
to  the  royal  cause,  and  continued  faithful  even  after  he  was  de 
throned  and  his  son  driven  into  exile. 

44.  The  parliament,  irritated  by  this  conduct  of  the  Virginians, 
sent  sir  George  Ayscue,  in  1652,  with  a  powerful  fleet,  to  reduce 
them  to  submission.     Berkeley,  with  more  spirit  than  prudence, 
opposed  this  force ;  but  after  making  a  gallant  resistance,  he  was 
obliged  to  yield.     He  obtained  the  most  favorable  terms  for  the 
colony,  but  asked  no  stipulations  in  his  own  favor.     Withdraw 
ing  to  a  retired  situation,  he  lived  beloved  and  respected  by  the 
people. 

45.  For  nine  years  afterwards,  governors  appointed  by  Crom 
well,  continued  to  preside  over  the  colony.    But  the  predilection 
for  royalty,  which  the  inhabitants  had  displayed,  was  remember 
ed,  and  they  were  less  favored  than  those  of  New-England,  who, 
like  the  predominant  party  in  Great  Britain,  were  republicans  in 
politics,  and  puritans  in  religion.    Arbitrary  restrictions  upon  the 
commerce  of  Virginia  checked  its  prosperity,  and  produced  dis 
content.     At  length,  the  sudden  death  of  governor  Matthews 
afforded,  to  the  adherents  of  the  royal  cause,  a  favorable  oppor 
tunity,  which  they  gladly  seized,  to  proclaim  Charles  the  second, 
and  to  invite  Berkeley  to  resume  the  authority  of  governor.    He 
consented,  requiring  only  their  solemn  promise  to  hazard  their 
lives  and  fortunes  in  supporting  the  cause  they  had  espoused. 

46.  At  this  period,  no  intelligence  had  been  received  of  the 
death  of  Cromwell.     Fortunately  for  the  colony,  that  event 
happened  soon  after;  the  king  whom  they  had  proclaimed  was 
restored  to  the  throne ;  and  Virginia  for  a  long  time  boasted, 
that  she  was  the  last  of  the  British  dominions  that  submitted  to 
Cromwell,  and  the  first  that  returned  to  her  allegiance. 

47.  Charles  the  second  confirmed  sir  William  Berkeley  in  the 
office  of  governor ;  but,  with  characteristic  ingratitude,  he  neg 
lected  the  interests  of  the  colony,  and  even  imposed  additional 
restrictions  upon  its  commerce.     He  also  granted  to  his  favorites 
large  tracts  of  land  which  belonged  to  the  colony.     These  in 
juries,  inflicted  by  a  hand  which  ought  to  have  bestowed  favors, 
wounded  the  feelings  of  the  Virginians,  and  produced  murmurs 
and  complaints.     No  relief  being  granted,  an  open  and  turbulent 
insurrection  was  the  consequence. 

48.  At  the  head  of  the  insurgents,  was  Nathaniel  Bacon.  He 
was  a  lawyer,  educated  in  London,  and  was  appointed  a  member 


24  VIRGINIA. 

of  the  council,  a  short  time  after  his  emigration  to  "Virginia, 
He  was  young,  bold,  ambitious ;  his  person  engaging,  and  his 
elocution  commanding.  He  harangued  the  citizens  upon  their 
grievances ;  inflamed  their  resentment  against  their  rulers ;  de 
claimed  particularly  against  the  languor  with  which  the  war,  then 
existing  with  the  Indians,  had  been  conducted  ;  and  such  was 
the  effect  of  his  representations,  that  he  was  elected  general  by 
the  people. 

49.  He  applied  to  the  governor  for  a  commission  confirming 
this  election,  and  offered  instantly  to  march,  at  the  head  of  the 
citizens,  against  the  savages.     Sir  William  indignantly  refused, 
and  issued  a  proclamation  commanding  the  insurgents  to  disperse. 
Bacon  had  advanced  too  far  to  recede  with  honor  or  safety.    He 
hastened,  at  the  head  of  six  hundred  armed  followers,  to  James 
town,  surrounded  the  house  where  the  governor  and  council 
were  assembled,  and  repeated  his  demand. 

50.  The  council,  intimidated  by  the  threats  of  the  enraged 
multitude,  hastily  prepared  a  commission,  and,  by  their  entreaties, 
prevailed  on  the  governor  to  sign  it.     Bacon  and  his  troops,  then 
began  their  march  against  the  Indians.     But  the  council,  when 
relieved  from  their  fears,  declared  the  commission  void,  and 
proclaimed  him  a  rebel.     Enraged  at  this  conduct,  he  instantly 
returned,  with  all  his  forces,  to  Jamestown.     The  governor  fled, 
the  council  dispersed,  and  he  found  himself  in  possession  of 
supreme  power.     To  give  it  some  show  of  legality,  he  called 
together  the  most  considerable  gentlemen  in  the  colony,  who 
bound  themselves  by  oath  to  support  his  authority. 

51.  Some  districts  remained  faithful  to  Berkeley,  who  col 
lected  forces,  and  made  inroads  into  those  sections  where  Bacon's 
authority  was  recognised.     The  latter  retaliated,  and  for  some 
months,  a  civil  war,  with  all  its  peculiar  horrors,  raged  in  Vir 
ginia.     Jamestown  was  burned,  and  some  of  the  finest  and  best 
cultivated  districts  were  laid  waste. 

52.  King  Charles,  informed  of  the  situation  of  affairs,  de 
spatched  a  body  of  troops  to  the  assistance  of  Berkeley.     Bacon 
and  his  followers,  unintimidated  by  their  approach,  determined 
to  oppose  them ;  but  when  prepared  to  take  the  field,  this  daring 
and  successful  leader,  having  exercised  the  supreme  power  for 
seven  months,  sickened  and  died  ;  and  no  person  being  found 
among  the  insurgents  qualified  to  supply  his  place,  as  the  general 
of  an  army  or  as  a  popular  leader,  they  laid  down  their  arms  and 
dispersed. 

53.  Governor  Berkeley  again  assumed  the  supreme  authority, 
and  finding  the  rebels  in  his  power,  pursued  them  with  unsparing 
rigor.    JJJanj  were  tried  by  courts  martial,  and  executed.     The 


MASSACHUSETTS.  25 

assembly  interfered,  praying  him  to  stop  the  work  of  death,  and 
enacted  laws  which  gradually  restored  tranquillity.  Soon  after, 
Sir  William  returned  to  England,  and  his  authority  devolved  on 
colonel  Jeffreys,  the  lieutenant-governor.  Under  his  administra 
tion,  peace  was  concluded  with  the  Indians  ;  and  notwithstanding' 
the  tyrannical  regulations  of  the  king,  and  the  oppressive  re 
strictions  upon  commerce,  the  colony  increased  in  wealth  aud 
population.  In  the  year  1688,  the  numher  of  inhabitants  ex 
ceeded  60,000. 

54.  Between  this  period  and  the  commencement  of  the  French 
war  of  1756,  an  account  of  which  will  be  found  in  a  subsequent 
chapter,  but  few  events  occurred  in  the  colony  of  sufficient  im 
portance  to  find  a  place  in  history.     Its  position,  remote  from 
the  settlements  of  the  French  in  Canada,  and  of  the  Spaniards  in 
Florida,  was  favourable  to  its  quiet.     New-England  and  New- 
York,  on  the  one  hand,  Georgia  and  the  Carolinas  on  the  other, 
protected  it  from  savage  incursions.  Its  affairs  were  administered 
by  governors  appointed  by  the  king,  and  representatives  choseu 
by  the  people. 

55.  The  laudable  efforts  of  these  representatives,  to  arrest  the 
progress  of  slavery  in  the  colony,  ought  not  to  be  passed  over  in 
silence.     Convinced  of  its  inhumanity,  and  foreseeing  the  dread 
ful  evils  which  it  must  produce,  they  often  passed  laws  prohibiting 
the  importation  of  slaves  ;  but  those  who  were  higher  in  autho 
rity,  yielding  to  the  wishes  of  merchants  engaged  in  the  abomina 
ble  traffic,  persisted,  with  criminal  obstinacy,  in  withholding  their 
assent.     England,  not  America,  is  responsible  for  the  wretched 
ness,  which  her  kings  and  her  officers  were  often  importuned, 
but  refused,  to  avert. 


CHAPTER  II. 

MASSACHUSETTS 


OF  the  two  companies  incorporated  by  king  James,  an  account 
of  the  proceedings  and  dissolution  of  one,  and  a  history  of  the 
colony  it  founded,  have  been  given  in  the  preceding  chapter.  To 
the  other,  or  Plymouth  company,  was  assigned  a  portion  of  the 


26  MASSACHUSETTS. 

American  continent  lying  farther  to  the  north,  and  at  that  time- 
called  North  Virginia. 

2.  The  latter,  in  1606,  the  year  in  which  both  were  incorpo 
rated,-  despatched  a  ship  to  make  discoveries  within  the  limits  of 
its  grant.     Before  the  voyage  was  completed,  she  was  captured 
by  the  Spaniards.      Another  ship,  afterwards  sent  for  the  same 
purpose,  returned  with  such  a  favorable  account  of  the  territory 
that  the  company  was  encouraged  to  proceed  in  the  undertaking. 

3.  The  next  year,  forty-five  men  were  sent  over  and  left  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river  Kennebec.     In  1608,  dispirited  by  the  hard 
ships  they  had  endured,  they  returned  to  England  in  ships  which 
had  brought  them  provisions  and  succors.    The  company,  disap 
pointed  and  dissatisfied,  desisted  for  a  while  from  all  attempts  to 
effect  a  settlement. 

4.  In  1614,  John  Smith,  the  same  who  acted  a  conspicuous 
part  in  the  settlement  of  Virginia,  made  a  voyage  to  this  northern 
country,  touching  first  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kennebec.     Sailing 
thence,  in  an  open  boat,  he  surveyed  the  coast  to  the  southern 
boundary  of  Massachusetts  bay.     The  northern  promontory  he 
named  Tragabigzanda,  in  honor  of  the  Turkish  lady  to  whom  he 
had  formerly  been  a  slave.     The  three  small  islands,  lying  near 
the  head  of  the  promontory,  he  called  the  Three  Turks*  Heads. 
in  memory  of  his  victory  over  the  three  Turkish  champions. 
Both  appellations  have  been  changed  for  others.     On  his  return 
to  England,  he  presented  to  prince  Charles  a  map  of  the  country, 
and  gave  him  such  a  glowing  description  of  its  beauty  and  excel 
lence,  that  he,  hi  the  warmth  of  his  admiration,  declared  it  should 
bear  the  name  of  NEW-ENGLAND. 

5.  Smith  afterwards  made  an  attempt  to  transport  a  colon* 
thither,  which  was  unsuccessful ;  and  New-England  might  Jong 
have  remained  the  abode  of  wild  beasts  and  savages  only,  had  not 
motives,  more  powerful  than  the  love  of  gain  or  of  perilous  ad 
ventures,  impelled  men,  differing  from  all  others  who  had  been 
the  founders  of  colonies,  to  select  it  as  the  place  of  their  residence. 

6.  In  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century,  James  the  first 
asserted  and  maintained  a  despotic  power  over  the  consciences 
of  his  English  subjects.     All  who  presumed  to  dissent  from  the 
creed  which  he  had  adopted  were  persecuted  with  extreme  rigor. 
In  that  age,  the  maxim  was  avowed  by  ecclesiastics  of  all  sects  as 
well  as  politicians,  that  uniformity  in  religion  was  essential  to  the 
repose  of  society,  and  that  it  was  therefore  the  right  and  duty  of 
every  sovei  eign  to  preserve  it  in  his  dominions,  by  the  exercise 
of  all  his  powers  of  restraint  and  punishment. 

7.  But  <7ee  inquiry  had  lately  received  such  an  impulse  from 
the  success  of  Luther  an'!  the  other  reformers,  that  the  rjvfl 


MASSACHUSETTS.  27 

Authority  WAS  unable  to  arrest  or  controll  it.  Various  sects  arose, 
dissenting  from  the  established  religion,  and  all  distinguished  by 
their  democratic  tenets  respecting  church  government.  Perse 
cuted  at  home,  a  small  number,  belonging  to  the  sect  which  were 
afterwards  called  Independents,  removed  to  Leyden,  in  Holland, 
where  they  formed  a  distinct  society  under  the  care  of  their  pas 
tor,  the  Rev.  John  Robinson.  By  their  rigid  virtues  and  exem 
plary  deportment,  they  acquired  the  respect  of  the  magistrates 
and  citizens. 

8.  After  residing  several  years  in  that  city,  various  considera 
tions  induced  them  to  resolve  to  leave  it.     In  1618,  they  applied 
to  the  London,  or  South  Virginia,  company,  for  a  grant  of  land 
m  America ;  and  to  ensure  success,  they  observed,  "  that  they 
were  well  weaned  from  the  delicate  milk  of  the  mother  country, 
and  inured  to  the  difficulties  of  a  strange  land  ;  that  they  were 
knit  together  by  a  strict  and  sacred  bond,  by  virtue  of  which  they 
held  themselves  bound  to  take  care  of  the  good  of  each  other  and 
-of  the  whole ;  that  it  was  not  with  them  as  with  other  men,  whom 
small  things  could  discourage,  or  small  discontents  cause  to  wish 
themselves  home  again." 

9.  A  grant  was  obtained,  and  in  September,  1620,  a  part  of 
them  set  sail  for  Hudson's  river ;  but  the  master  of  the  ship, 
bribed,  it  is  said,  by  the  Dutch,  who  claimed  the  sole  right  of 
trading  in  that  quarter,  carried  them  farther  north,  and  the  first 
land  they  discovered  was  Cape  Cod.      This,  they  were  aware, 
was  beyond  the  limits  of  the  London  com-pany,  but  it  was  now 
November,  and  too  late  in  the  season  to  put  again  to  sea.     They 
llierefore  determined  to  land  at  the  first  place  they  could  find 
suitable  for  a  settlement. 

10.  Before  leaving  the  ship,  the  heads  of  families  and  freemen, 
forty-one  in  number,  signed  a  solemn  covenant,  combining  them 
selves  into  a  body  politic  for  the  purpose  of  making  equal  laws 
for  the  general  good.      They  ordained  that  a  governor  and  as 
sistants  should  be  annually  chosen,  but  the  sovereign  power  re 
mained  in  the  whole  body  of  freemen.    John  Carver  was  -elected 
•governor. 

11.  On  the  llth  of  December,  [O.  S.]  they  landed  on  a  deso 
late  coast.     Sterile  sands  and  gloomy  forests  were  the  only  ob 
jects  that  met  their  view.     The  severity  of  the  cold,  greater  than 
they  had  ever  experienced,  admonished  them  to  seek  protection 
against  it ;  and  tneir  first  employment  was  the  erection  of  huts 
in  the 'most  convenient  and  sheltered  situations.    In  these  miser 
able  abodes  they  passed  the  winter,  those  at  least  who  survived  it. 
By  the  succeeding  spring,  one  half  of  their  number  had  perished 


28  MASSACHUSETTS. 

exhausted  by  continual  suffering,  and  by  the  privation  of  every 
worldly  comfort  which  they  had  been  accustomed  to  enjoy. 

12.  Their  settlement  was  found  to  be  within  the  limits  of  the 
Plymouth  company  from  which  they  solicited  and  obtained  a 
grant  of  land ;  but  they  were  never  incorporated  by  the  king, 
They  called  the  place  New-Plymouth.      They  often  received 
small  additions  to  their  number,  which,  hi  1630,  amounted  f,o 
three  hundred. 

13.  In  the  mean  time,  the  same  causes  that  drove  Mr.  Robin 
son  and  his  congregation  from.  England  had  continued  to  operate. 
A  class  of  dissenters,  denominated  puritans  from  the  austerity  of 
their  manners,  and  from  their  claims  to  superior  purity  in  worship 
and  discipline,  had  become  numerous ;  and  as,  by  their  new  mode 
of  worship,  they  violated  the  laws  of  the  land,  they  were  prose 
cuted  as  criminals.     Their  faith  was  confirmed  and  their  zeal  in 
creased  by  their  sufferings ;  and  having  learned  that  complete  re 
ligious  freedom  was  enjoyed  at  New-Plymouth,  in  America,  they 
naturally  directed  their  thoughts  to  that  country,  as  a  secure  asy 
lum  from  persecution. 

14.  In  1627,  an  association  of  puritans,  residing  at  Dorchester 
and  the  vicinity,  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  planting  a  colony 
in  New-England,  to  which  they  and  their  brethren  might  repair, 
and,  in  seclusion  and  safety,  worship  God  according  to  the  dic 
tates  of  conscience.     They  obtained  from  the  Plymouth  compa 
ny,  a  grant  of  the  territory,  which  now  constitutes  a  part  of  the 
state  of  Massachusetts,  and  sent  over,  under  the  direction  of 
John  Endicott,  a  small  number  of  people,  to  begin  a  plantation. 
These,  in  September,  landed  at  a  place  called,  by  the  Indians, 
Naumkeak,  and,  by  themselves,  Salem. 

15.  The 'next  year,  they  obtained  a  charter  from  the  crown,  by 
which  the  usual  powers  of  a  corporation  were  conferred  upon  the 
grantees j  by  the  name  of  the  "  Governor  and  Company  of  Massa 
chusetts  Bay,  in  New-England."     It  ordained,  that  the  officers 
of  the  company  "should  be  a  Governor,  a  deputy  Governor,  and 
eighteen  assistants,  to  be  named,  in  the  first  instance,  by  the  crown, 
and  afterwards  elected  by  the  corporation.    Four  stated  meetings 
of  all  the  members  were  to  be  held  annually,  under  the  denomi 
nation  of  the  General  Court,  at  which  they  were  authorised  to 
admit  freemen  or  members,  and  to  make  such  ordinances  or  laws, 
not  repugnant  to  the  laws  of  England,  as  they  might  deem  expe 
dient.      The  colonists,  and  their  descendants,  were  declared  to 
be  entitled  to  all  the  rights  of  natural  born  English  subjects. 

16.  At  a  General  Court,  held  at  London,  in  1629,  the  officers 
prescribed  by  the  charter,  were  elected,  and  several  ordinances 


MASSACHUSETTS.  & 

were  acfopted  for  the  government  of  the  company.  Three 
hundred  people  were  sent  over,  of  whom  one  hundred,  dissatisfied 
with  the  situation  of  Salem,  removed  to  Charlestown.  Religion 
was  the  first  object  of  their  care  in  the  country  they  had  adopted. 
A  religious  covenant  was  agreed  upon,  and  a  confession  of  faith 
drawn  up,  to  which  their  assent  was  given.  Pastors  were  chosen, 
and  were,  from  necessity,  installed  into  their  sacred  offices  by 
the  imposition  of  the  hands  of  the  brethren. 

17.  The  icnsuing  winter  was  a  period  of  uncommon  sir&ering 
and  sickness.    The  cold  was  intense ;  the  houses  were  unfinished ; 
the  provisions  were  insufficient  and   unwholesome.     Before 
spring,  nearly  half  their  number  perished,  "lamenting  tlaat  they 
could  not  live  to  see  the  rising  glories  of  the  faithful." 

18.  These  calamities  had  some   effect  in  deterring  -others 
from  joining  them ;  but  the  consideration  that  the  general  courts 
were  held,  the  officers  elected,  and  the  laws  enacted,  in  London, 
had  still  greater  influence.     It  did  not  -comport  with  the  views 
and  feelings  of  those  who  disdained  to  submit  to  authority  in 
matters  of  faith,  to  consent  to  remove  to  the  new  world,  and 
there  be  governed  by  laws  which  they  could  have  no  part  *n 
enacting.     Representations  to  this  effect  were  made  to  the  com 
pany,  who  resolved  that  the  government  and  patent  should  foe 
removed  to  Massachusetts. 

19.  This  wise  resolution  gave  such  encouragement  to  emigra 
tion,  that,  in  1630, more  than  fifteen  hundred  persons  came  over, 
and  founded  Boston  and  several  adjacent  towns.     Of  these  per 
sons,  all  were  respectable,  and  many  were  from  illustrious  and 
noble  families.     Having  been  accustomed  to  a  life  of  ease  and 
enjoyment,  their  sufferings,  the  first  year,  were  great,  and  proved 
fatal  to  many  ;  among  others,  to  the  lady  Arabella,  who,  to  use 
the  words  of  an  early  historian  of  the  country,  "came  from  a 
paradise  of  plenty  and  pleasure,  in  the  family  of  a  noble  earl,  into 
a  wilderness  of  wants ;  and  although  celebrated  for  her  many 
virtues,  yet  was  not  able  to  encounter  the  adversity  she  was  sur 
rounded  with-,  and,  in  about  a  month  after  her  arrival,  she  ended 
her  days  at  Salem,  where  she  first  landed."     Mr.  Johnson,  her 
husband,  overcome  with  grief,  survived  her  but  a  short  time. 

20.  Before  December,  two  hundred  perished.  On  the  24th 
of  that  month,  the  cold  became  intense.  Such  a  Christmas  eve 
they  had  never  before  known.  Yet  the  inclemency  of  the 
weather  continued  to  increase.  They  were  almost  destitute  of 
provisions,  and  many  were  obliged  to  subsist  on  clams,  muscles, 
and  other  shell  fish,  with  Marts  and  .acorns  instead  of  bread. 
Many  more  died ;  but  in  this  extremity,  that  ardor  of  conviction 
fhom  to  •^tmsrmt.e,  uerhained  in  full  force,  and 


30  MASSACHUSETTS. 

they  met,  with  a  firm,  unshaken  spirit,  the  calamities  which  ag 
sailed  them. 

21.  One  great  object  of  the  puritans,  in  retiring  to  the  unoc 
cupted  regions  of  flfew-Elngtend,  was  the  establishment  of  a 
religious  commonwealth,  as  nearly  upon  the  model  of  that  of  the 
Jews  ns  the  difference  of  circumstances  would  admit.     To  ac 
complish  this  ohject,  they  deemed  it  necessary,  and  at  a  general 
court,  held  in  1631,  they  ordained,  that  none  hut  those  who  had 
made  a  profession  of  religion,  and  had  become  members  of  som« 
church,  should  be  admitted  members  of  the  corporation,  or  enjoy 
the  privilege  of  voting. 

22.  This  law  has  been  too  severely  censured  by  those  who 
have  lived  in  more  liberal  and  enlightened  times.    It  contradicted 
none  of  the  professions  of  the  puritans.  It  was  in  strict  accordance 
with  the  avowed  motives  of  their  emigration.     It  exhibited  leses 
intolerance  than  was  then  displayed  by  every  other  nation,     It 
violated  the  rights  of  no  one,  for  no  one  could  claim  a  right  to 
come  into  the  territory  which  they  had  purchased.     And  it  was 
doubtless  essential,  such  was  then  the  temper  of  men's  minds,  to 
the  repose  of  their  little  society. 

23.  The  colonists  had  frequently  been  alarmed,  but  never  yet 
attacked,  by  the  Indians.     These  were  not,  in  fact,  in  a  condition 
to  do  much  injury.     A  few  years  before  the  arrival  of  the  Eng 
lish,  a  contagious  distemper  swept  away  a  great  number,  almost 
exterminating  several  tribes.     In  1633,  the  small  pox  destroyed 
many  who  had  survived  the  pestilence  ;  and  the  territory,  conti 
guous  to  the  first  settlements  of  the  English,  seemed  to  have  been 
providentially  made  vacant  for  their  reception.     As  an  attack 
from  this  quarter  was,  however,  possible,  and  as  the  French, 
who  had  a  trading  establishment  at  Acadia,  had  discovered  some 
symptoms  of  hostility,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  erect  fortifica 
tions  at  Boston,  and  other  places,  and  to  open  a  correspondence 
with  their  neighbours  at  New-Plymouth. 

24.  So  for  from  the  capital  had  the  settlements  extended,  that 
it.  was  found  extremely  inconvenient  for  all  the  freemen  to  as 
semble  and  transact  the  necessary  public  business.     In  1634,  the 
mode  of  legislation  was  altered,  by  the  general  consent  of 'the 
towns.      They  delegated  to  twenty-four   representatives    the 
authority  granted,  by  the  charter,  to  the  whole  body  of  freemen. 
This  important  alteration  was  adopted  the  more  readily,  as  the 
emigrants  had  been  famiMar,  in  their  native  country,  with  the 
representative  system.    The  appellation  of  General  Court,  which 
had  been  applied  to  all  the  freemen  when  assembled,  was  now 
transferred  to  their  representatives. 

25.  In  the  same  year,  Roger  Williams,  the  minister  of  Salem, 


MASSACHUSETTS.  31 

having  occasioned  disturbances,  by  advancing  tenets  considered 
not  only  heretical  but  seditious,  and  being  found  irreclaimable, 
was  ordered  to  leave  the  colony.  He  retired  to  Rehoboth,  which 
was  then  within  the  jurisdiction  of  Plymouth. 

26.  In  1635,  Massachusetts  received  from  England  a  large 
number  of  inhabitants,  and  among  them  came  two  who  afterwards 
acted  conspicuous  parts  in  the  affairs  of  their  native  country. 
One  was  Hugh  Peters,  who  was  subsequently  a  chaplain  of 
Oliver  Cromwell ;    the  other  was   Mr.  Vane,   afterwards  Sir 
Henry  Vane.     The  latter  was  but  twenty-five  years  of  age;  but 
by  his  show  of  great  humility,  his  grave  and  solemn  deportment, 
and  his  ardent  professions  of  attachment  to  liberty,  he  stole  the 
hearts  of  the  puritans,  and,  the  year  after  his  arrival,  was  made 
governor  of  the  colony. 

27.  His  popularity,  however,  was  transient.     During  his  ad 
ministration,  the  celebrated  Mrs.  Hutchinson,  a  woman  who  was 
distinguished  for  her  eloquence,  and  had  imbibed  the  enthusiasm 
of  the  age,  instituted  weekly  meetings  for  persons  of  her  own 
sex,  in  which  she  commented  on  the  sermons  of  the  preceding1 
Sunday,  and  advanced  certain  mystical  and  extravagant  doctrines. 
These  spread  rapidly  among  the  people,  and  many  became 
converts. 

28.  Governor  Vane,  with  Mr.  Cotton  and  Mr.  Wheelwright, 
two  distinguished  clergymen,  embraced  them  with  ardor ;  but 
lieutenant  governor  Winthrop,  and  a  majority  of  the  churches, 
deemed  them  heretical  and  seditious.     Great  excitement  was 
produced  among  the  people ;  many  conferences  were  held ;  public 
fasts  were  appointed ;  a  general  synod  was  summoned ;  and  after 
much  intemperate  discussion,  her  opinions  were  determined  to 
be  erroneous,  and  she  and  some  of  her  adherents  were  banished 
from  the  colony. 

29.  Not  being  again  chosen  governor,  Vane  returned  in  dis 
gust  to  England,  engaged  in  the  civil  wars,  which  soon  after 
afflicted  that  country,  sustained  high  offices  in  the  republican 
party,  and,  after  the  restoration  of  Charles  II,  was  accused  of 
liigh  treason,  convicted  and  executed.     Peters  pursued  a  similar 
career,  and  met  with  the  same  fate. 

30.  In  such  high  repute,  at  this  time,  were  the  settlements  in 
Massachusetts,  that  other  Englishmen,  still  more  conspicuous, 
had  determined  to  leave  their  native  land,  that  they  might  enjoy, 
in  a  desert,  the  civil  and  religious  liberty  which  was  denied  them 
at  honit\    Among  these  were  Mr.  Hambden,  Sir  Arthur  Haselrig, 
and  Oliver  Cromwell,  whom  king  Charles,  by  express  order,  de 
tained,  when  on  the  point  of  embarking.     Little  did  he  imagine 
that,  by  this  act  of  arbitrary  power,  he  kept  within  bis  kingdom 


32  MASSACHUSETTS. 

those  restless  votaries  of  freedom,  who  were  destined  to  overturn 
his  throne,  and  bring  his  head  to  the  block. 

31.  By  the  settlement  of  Massachusetts,  the  attention  of  emi 
grants  was  diverted  from  the  colony  of  Plymouth,  where  the  soil 
was  less  fertile.    It  nevertheless  continued  to  increase,  although 
slowly,  in  population.     In  1633,  the  government  of  that  colony 
built  a  trading  house,  near  Hartford,  which  was  the  first  building 
erected  within  the  boundaries  of  Connecticut.  Soon  after,  many 
persons  repaired  thither  from  Massachusetts.     In  1636,  Roger 
Williams  laid  the  foundation  of  Rhode  Island.     Subsequently, 
New-Hampshire  and  New-Haven  were  founded,  which  increas 
ed  to  five  the  number  of  colonies  in  New-England. 

32.  The  rapid  progress  of  the  English  settlements,  excited  the 
jealousy  of  the  natives;    They  had  welcomed,  without  fear,  the 
emigrants  who  first  landed,  not  anticipating  their  future  encroach 
ments.  The  experience  of  a  few  years  convinced  them  that  they 
must  either  exterminate  these  invaders  of  their  country,  or  be 
themselves  exterminated. 

33.  Within  the  boundaries  of  Rhode  Island  and  Connecticut, 
lived  two  warlike  tribes,  the  Pequods  and  Narragansets.     The 
former  were  hostile,  the  latter  friendly,  to  the  whites.   Between 
the  two  tribes  an  inveterate  enmity  existed  ;  but  the  more  saga 
cious  and  politic  Pequods  proposed  that  all  animosities  should  be 
forgotten,  and  their  united  strength  directed  against  their  inva 
ders,  before  they  had  become  too  strong  to  be  resisted.    At  first 
the  Narragansets  wavered,  but  their  hatred  of  the  Pequods  over 
powered  the  suggestions  of  policy.     They  disclosed  the  proposal 
to  the  English,  and  invited  them  to  join  in  a  war  against  their 
common  enemy. 

34.  The  colonies  were  roused  to  a  sense  of  their  danger.    In 
1637,  Massachusetts,  Plymouth,  and  Connecticut,  agreed  to  unite 
their  forces,  and  attempt  the  entire  destruction  of  the  Pequods. 
Captain  Mason,  with  eighty  men,  principally  from  Connecticut, 
and  three  hundred  friendly  Indians,  was  immediately  sent  into 
the  country  of  the  enemy.    Early  in  the  morning  of  the  26th  of 
May,  he  attacked  one  of  the  principal  villages,  which  had  been 
surrounded  with  pallisades.     The  resistance  was  brave  and  ob 
stinate,  and  the  issue  of  the  battle  for  some  time  doubtful;  but 
iiie  whites,  forcing  their  way  into  the  enclosure,  set  fire  to  the 
wigwams,  and  then,  retreating  a  short  distance,  surrounded  the 
town.  Many  of  the  Indians  perished  in  the  flames ;  others  were 
shot,  in  their  attempts  to  flee.  Of  five  or  six  hundred,  within  the 
enclosure,  but  few  escaped.     The  English  troops,  of  whom  two 
were  killed  and  sixteen  wounded,  returned  in  triumph  to  Hartford. 

3*.   Ti»  JKV'*.  ;?nn*^f  >'  ^odv  ^f  troops,  ttfmeipalrV  from 


MASSACHUSETTS.  33 

chusetts,  marched  into  the  enemy's  country,  surrounded  a  swamp, 
into  which  a  party  of  them  had  retired,  and  took  eighty  captive > 
Some  escaping,  they  were  pursued  to  another  S'.vamp,  situated 
near  New-Haven,  where  the  whole  strength  of  the  tribe  was 
collected.  This  was,  in  like  manner,  surrounded  ;  a  sharp  con 
test  ensued  ;  but  the  whites  were  again  victorious.  Two  hundred 
Pequods  were  killed  or  made  prisoners.  The  remainder  fled 
to  the  country  of  the  Mohawks.  The  brilliant  success  of  the 
English,  in  this  first  and  short  war  with  the  natives,  gave  the  neigh 
boring  tribes  such  an  exalted  idea  of  their  prowess,  that,  for  near 
ly  forty  years,  they  were  neither  attacked  nor  molested. 

36.  Ten  years  had  now  elapsed  since  the  first  settlement  was 
made  at  Salem.      It  has  been  computed  that,  within  that  time, 
twenty-one  thousand  persons  arrived  in  Massachusetts.     The 
dissenters  in  England  having  obtained  the  ascendency  in  the  go 
vernment,  all  motives  for  emigration  ceased  ;  and  it  is  supposed 
that,  for  many  years  afterwards,  more  persons  returned  to  Eng 
land,  than  came  from  England  to  the  colonies. 

37.  Such,  however,  were  the  character  and  virtues  of  the  emi 
grants  ;  such  the  power  over  difficulties  which  their  resolute 
minds,  and  bodies  hardened  by  labor,  had  imparted  to  them,  that 
they  continued  to  increase,  with  astonishing  rapidity,  in  wealth 
and  numbers.    And  a  vote  of  the  house  of  commons,  stating  that 
"  the  plantations  in  New-England  had  had  good  and  prosperous 
success,  without  any  public  charge  to  the  state,"  is  quoted,  by  a 
historian  of  those  times,  as  an  honorable  testimony  of  the  high 
merit  of  the  colonists. 

38.  Circumstances  and  events  had  already  impressed  a  charac 
ter  upon  them,  which,  though  softened  in  its  worst  features  by 
the  progress  of  refinement,  still  distinguishes  their  descendants. 
Persecution  made  them  bigots ;  piety  made  them  moral ;  poverty 
made  them  frugal ;   incessant  toil  made  them  hardy  and  robust ; 
dreary  solitudes  made  them  gloomy  and  superstitious  ;  their  nu 
merous  clergy  and  well  educated  leaders,  made  them  venerate 
literature  and  the  sciences. 

39.  Four  of  the  New-England  colonies,  Massachusetts,  Con 
necticut,  Plymouth,  and  New-Haven,  apprehending  danger  from 
the  Indians,  from  the  Dutch,  at  New- York,  and  from  the  French, 
at  Acadia,  formed,  in  1643,  a  firm  and  perpetual  league,  offensive 
arid  defensive.    By  the  articles  of  this  league,  each  colony  was  to 
appoint  two  commissioners,  who  were  to  assemble,  by  rotation, 
in  the  respective  colonies,  and  were  empowered  to  enact  ordi 
nances  of  general  concern  ;  and,  in  case  of  invasion,  each  colony 
was  bound,  upon  the  application  of  three  magistrates  of  the  in 
Vkvled  colony,  to  furnish  a  stipulated  proportion  of  men  ana  money 


34  MASSACHUSETTS, 

40.  Strengthened  by  this  league,  the  colonies  were  respected 
by  their  civilized  arid  savage  neighbors.     With  the  French,  un 
der  D'Aulney,  Massachusetts  had  a  long  and  troublesome  dis 
pute;  which  was  adjusted,  in  1644,  by  a  treaty  made  by  governor 
Endicott,  and  afterwards  ratified  by  the  commissioners. 

41.  When  representatives  were  first  -chosen,  they  sat  and  voted 
in  the  same  chamber  with  the  assistants.     In  1635,  when  Mr. 
Hooker  applied  for  permission  to  form  a  settlement  on  Connecti 
cut  river,  a  majority  of  the  assistants  voted  against  granting  per 
mission ;  but  a  majority  of  the  whole  assembly  in  favor  of  iL 
The  representatives  contended  that  a  majority  of  the  assistants 
was  not  necessary,  and  that  the  vote  had  passed  in  the  affirma 
tive.     The  assistants  claimed  to  be  a  distinct  branch  of  the  legis 
lature,  and  contended  that  it  had  passed  in  the  negative. 

42.  No  provision  having  been  made  for  a  case  of  this  kind,  an 
adjournment,  for  a  week,  took  place  ;  a  public  fast  was  appoint 
ed,  and  the  divine  direction  implored  in  all  the  congregations. 
When  the  assembly  again  met,  a  sermon  was  preached,  by  Mr. 
Cotton,  which  induced  the  representatives  to  yield  to  the  claim 
of  the  assistants.     In  1644,  the  dispute  was  renewed,  and  the 
assistants  were  again  victorious.     The  representatives  then  pro 
posed  that  the  two  classes  should  sit  apart,  and  form  distinct  bo 
dies,  and  in  this  proposition  the  assistants  concurred, 

43.  The  contest  between  the  king  and  parliament,  at  length 
resulted  in  open  war ;  and  the  New-England  colonies,  actuated 
t>y  the  same  feeling  as  the  puritans  in  England,  embraced,  with 
ardor,  tiie  cause  of  the  latter.     The  parliament  rewarded  this 
attachment,  by  exempting  them  from  all  taxes ;  .and  when  the  su 
preme  authority  devolved  upon  Cromwell,  as  protector  of  the 
liberties  of  England,  they  found  in  him  a  friend  no  less  sincere 
and  zealous.     . 

44.  After  the  conquest  of  Ireland,  he  invited  them  to  return 
and  settle  in  that  country ;  and,  subsequently,  having  conquered 
Jamaica,  lie  endeavored  to  persuade  them  to  remove  to  that  fer 
tile  island,  and  more  genial  climate.    But  his  arguments  and  so 
licitations  were  unavailing.    They  enjoyed, in  their  present  abode, 
complete  religious  freedom,  and  that  privilege  they  were  unwil 
ling  to  hazard  in  pursuit  of  advantages  less  essential  to  their 
happiness. 

45.  In  1641,  the  settlements  in  New-Hampshire  were  incor 
porated  with  Massachusetts.      And,  in  1652,  the  inhabitants  of 
the  province  of  Maine  were,  at  their  own  request,  taken  under 
her  protection.     This  province  had  been  granted  to  Sir  Ferdi 
nand  Gorges,  who,  in  1639,  first  established  a  government  over 
It     In  1 640,  a  general  court  .wag  held  at  Saco.    Upon  the  death 


MASSACHUSETTS,  35 

01  the  proprietor,  in  1649,  most  of  the  officers  whom  he  had 
appointed,  deserted  it,  and  the  people  found  it  necesssary  to  re 
sort  elsewhere  for  protection. 

46.  In  1656,  several  Quakers  arrived  in  the  colony.     In  this 
age  of  enthusiasts,  these  sectarians  surpassed  all  others  in  enthu 
siasm.     Their  behavior  was  rude,  contemptuous,  and  disorderly 
They  reviled  magistrates  and  ministers,  and,  entering  churches? 
on  the  Sabbath,  disturbed  the  solemnities  of  public  worship.    For 
these  offences  they  were  first  imprisoned,  and  then  banished.     A 
law  was  passed  prohibiting  Quakers  from  coming  into  the  colony, 
imposing  the  penalty  of  banishment  upon  the  first  offence,  and  of 
death  upon  such  as  should  return  after  banishment.     Four,  who 
were  so  infatuated  as  to  return  and  obtrude  themselves  upon  the 
notice  of  the  government,  suffered  the  death  which  they  appeared 
to  seek.     This  cruel  and  impolitic  law  was  soon  afterwards  re 
pealed. 

47.  Cromwell,  who  had  governed  England  with  greater  ability 
and  higher  merit  than  most  of  her  kings,  died  in  1658,  and  after 
an  interval  of  two  years,  Charles  the  second,  a  prince  destitute 
of  honor  and  virtue,  was  recalled  from  exile  and  placed  upon  the 
throne.     He  was  reluctantly  acknowledged  by  the  colonies  of 
New-England.    They  had  been  the  favorites  of  the  parliament, 
and  the  protector,  and  apprehended,  with  good  reason,  the  loss  of 
their  civil  and  religious  privileges. 

48.  A  short  time  after,  Whalley  and  Goffe,  two  of  the  judges 
who  had  sentenced  Charles  the  first  to  be  beheaded,  having  fled 
before  the  return  of  his  successor,  arrived  in  New-England. 
Their  first  place  of  residence  was  Cambridge ;  but  they  often  ap 
peared  publicly  in  Boston,  particularly  on  Sundays  and  other  days 
of  religious  solemnities.    They  had  sustained  high  rank  in  Crom 
well's  army,  were  men  of  uncommon  talents,  and,  by  their  digni 
fied  manners  and  grave  deportment,  commanded  universal* respect. 

49.  As  soon  as  it  was  known  that  they  were  excepted  from  the 
general  pardon,  the  governor  suggested  to  the  court  of  assistants 
the  expediency  of  arresting  them.      A  majority  opposed  it,  and 
many  members  of  the  general  court  gave  them  assurances  of 
protection.     Considering  themselves,  however,  unsafe  at  Cam 
bridge,  they  removed  to  New-Haven,  where  they  were  received 
with  great  respect  by  the  clergy  and  magistrates. 

50.  After  a  short  residence  there,  enjoying,  in  private,  the  so 
ciety  of  their  friends,  the  governor  of  Massachusetts  received  a 
mandate  to  arrest  them.    A  warrant  was  immediately  issued^  au 
thorising  two  zealous  royalists  to  search  for,  and  seize  them, 
wherever  found,  in  New-England.    They  hastened  to  the  colony 
of  Ne*v-HavenT  exhibited  the  warrant  to  the  q-ovrrnor,  who  re 


36  MASSACHUSETTS 

sided  at  Guilfcrd,  and  requested  him  to  furnish  authority  and  as 
sistants  to  pursue  them.  Desirous  of  favoring  the  exiles,  hi 
affected  to  deliberate  until  the  next  morning,  and  then  utterly  de 
clined  acting  officially,  without  the  advice  of  his  council 

51.  In  the  mean  time,  they  were  apprized  of  their  danger, 
and  retired  to  a  new  place  of  concealment.     The  pursuers,  oi< 
arriving  at  New-Haven,  searched  every  suspected  house,  excepl 
the  one  where  the  judges  were  concealed.     This  they  began  to 
search,  hut  were  induced,  by  the  address  of  the  mistress  of  it,  to 
desist.     When  the  pursuers  had  departed,  the  judges,  retiring 
into  the  woods,  fixed  their  abode  in  a  cave. 

52.  Having  there  heard  that  their  friends  were  threatened 
with  punishment,  for  having  afforded  them  protection,  they  came 
from  their  hiding  place  for  the  purpose  of  delivering  themselves 
up  ;  but  their  friends,  actuated  by  feelings  equally  noble  and 
generous,  persuaded  them  to  relinquish  their  intention.     Soon 
after,  they  removed  to  Milford,  where  they  remained  about  two 
years. 

53.  Upon  the  arrival  of  other  persons,  instructed  to  appre 
hend  them,  they  repaired  privately  to  Hadley,  in  Massachusetts. 
where  they  resided  fifteen  or  sixteen  years,  but  few  persons  being 
acquainted  with  the  place  of  their  concealment.     There  is,  in 
that  neighborhood,  a  tradition,  that  many  years  afterwards  two 
graves  were  discovered  in  the  minister's  cellar;  and  in  these,  it 
was  supposed,  they  had  been  interred.     At  New-Haven,  two 
graves  are  shown,  said  to  be  those  of  the  two  judges.     It  is  riot 
improbable  that  their  remains  were  removed  to  this  place  from 
Hadley. 

54.  A  singular  incident  which  occurred  at  the  latter  place,  in 
1675,  shows  that  one  of  these  illustrious  exiles  had  not  forgotten 
the  avocations  of  his  youth.     The  people,  at  the  time  of  public 
worship,  were   alarmed   by  an   attack  from  the  Indians,  and 
thrown  into  the  utmost  confusion.     Suddenly,  a  grave,  elderly 
person  appeared,  differing  in  his  mien  and  dress  from  all  around 
Lim.     He  put  himself  at  their  head,  rallied,  encouraged,  and  led 
them  against  the  enemy,  who  were  repulsed  and  completely  de 
feated.    As  suddenly,  the  deliverer  of  Hadley  disappeared.    The 
people  were  lost  in  amazement,  and  many  verily  believed  that  an 
angel  sent  from  heaven  had  led  them  to  victory. 

55.  Their  treatment  of  the  king's  judges,  and  in  truth  all  their 
conduct,  evinced  the  republican  spirit  of  the  colonists.     By  the 
royal  government  of  England,  they  could  not,  therefore,  be  re 
garded  with  favor.     In  1663,  it  was  enacted,  that  no  European 
commodity  should  be  Imported  into  the  colonies,  unless  shipped 
directlv  from  England,  and  in  British  vessels,     By  this  regula* 


MASSACHUSETTS.  37 

tion,  in  connexion  *vvith  others  that  had  been  previously  made, 
all  the  trade  of  the  colonies  was  secured  to  the  mother  country. 
They  submitted  reluctantly  to  these  restrictions,  and  often  made 
them  the  subject  of  complaint.  But  England,  believing  that 
they  augmented  her  wealth  and  power,  obstinately  refused  to  re 
peal  them. 

56.  In  1664,  the  king  despatched  four  commissioners  to  visit 
the  several   colonies  in  New-England,  to   examine  into  their 
condition,  to  hear  and  decide  complaints,  and  to  make  to  him  a 
report  of  their  proceedings  and  observations.     This  measure  was 
dictated  by  no  friendly  motive,  and  was  considered  by  the  colo 
nies  as  a  violation  of  their  charters. 

57.  The  first  session  of  the  commissioners  was  at  Plymouth, 
where  but  little  business  was  transacted ;  the  next  in  Rhode- 
Island,  where  they  heard  complaints  from  the  Indians,  and  all 
who  were  discontented,  and  made  divers  determinations  respecting 
titles  to  land,  which  were  but  little  regarded.     In  Massachusetts, 
the  general  court  complied  with  such  of  their  requisitions  as  they 
thought  proper  ;  but,  professing  sincere  loyalty  to  his  majesty, 
declined  acknowledging  their  authority,  and  protested  against  the 
exercise  of  it  within  their  limits. 

58.  In  consequence  of  this  manly  assertion  of  their  chartered 
rights,  an  angry  correspondence  took  place  between  them,  at  the 
close  of  which  the  commissioners  petulantly  told  the  general 
court,  "that  they  would  lose  no  more  of  their  labors  upon  them," 
but  would  represent  their  conduct  to  his  majesty. 

59.  From  Boston,  the  commissioners  proceeded  to  New 
Hampshire,  where  they  exercised  several  acts  of  government, 
and  offered  to  release  the  inhabitants  from  the  jurisdiction  of 
Massachusetts.     This  offer  was  almost  unanimously  rejected. 
In  Maine,  they  excited  more  disturbance.    They  encouraged  the 
people  to  declare  themselves  independent,  and  found  many  dis 
posed  to  listen  to  their  suggestions ;  but  Massachusetts,  by  a 
prompt  and  vigorous  exertion  of  power,  constrained  the  disaf 
fected  to  submit  to  her  authority. 

60.  Connecticut  appears  to  have  been  the  favorite  of  the  com 
missioners.     She  treated  them  with  respect,  and  complied  with 
their  requisitions.     In  return,  they  made  such  a  representation 
of  her  merits  to  the  king,  as  to  draw  from  him  a  letter  of  thanks. 
"  Although,"  says  he,  "  your  carriage  doth  of  itself  most  justly 
deserve  our  praise  and  approbation,  yet  it  seems  to  be  set  off  with 
more  lu^re  by  the  contrary  behavior  of  the  colony  of  Massa 
chusetts." 

61.  At  the  end  of  fifty  years  from  the  arrival  of  the  emigrant 
at  Plymouth,  the  New-England  colonies  were  supposed  to  contair 

D 


S3  MASSACHUSETTS. 

one  hundred  and  twenty  towns,  and  as  many  thousand  inhabitants 
The  acts  of  parliament  not  being  rigidly  enforced,  their  trade 
had  become  extensive  and  profitable.  The  habits  of  industry 
and  economy,  which  had  been  formed  in  less  happy  times  conti 
nued  to  prevail,  and  gave  a  competency  to  those  who  had  nothing, 
and  wealth  to  those  who  had  a  competency.  The  wilderness 
receded  before  adventurous  and  hardy  laborers,  and  its  savage 
inhabitants  found  their  game  dispersed,  and  their  favorite  haunts 
invaded. 

62.  This  was  the  natural  consequence  of  the  sales  of  land, 
which  were,  at  all  times,  readily  made  to  the  whites.     But  this 
consequence  the  Indians  did  not  foresee  ;  and  when  they  felt  it 
in  all  its  force,  the  strongest  passions  were  awakened  which  cart 
animate  civilized  or  savage  man,  the  love  of  country  and  of  in, 
dependence. 

63.  A  leader  only  was  wanting  to  concentrate  and  direct  their 
exertions,  and  Philip,  of  Pokanoket,  sachem  of  a  tribe  living 
within  the  boundaries  of  Plymouth  and  Rhode-Island,  assumed 
that  honorable,  but  dangerous,  station.     His   father  was  the 
friend,  but  he  had  ever  been  the  enemy,  of  the  whites  ;  and  this 
enmity,  arising  from  causes  of  national  concern,  had  been  embit 
tered  to  vindictive  hatred  by  their  conduct  towards  his  elder 
brother.    This  brother,  being  suspected  of  plotting  against  them, 
was  seized  by  a  detachment  of  soldiers,  and  confined  ;  and  the 
indignity  so  wrought  upon  his  proud  spirit,  as  to  produce  a  fever 
that  put  an  end  to  his  life. 

64.  Philip  inherited  the  authority  and  proud  spirit  of  his 
brother.     He  exerted  all  the  arts  of  intrigue,   and  powers  of 
persuasion,  of  which  he  was  master,  to  induce  the  Indians,  in  all 
parts  of  New-England,  to  unite  their  efforts  for  the  destruction 
of  the  whites.     He  succeeded  in  forming  a  confederacy,  able  to 
send  into  action  between  three  and  four  thousand  warriors. 

65.  The  English  were  apprized  of  the  plots  of  the  Indians,  and 
made  preparations  to  meet  their  hostilities.     They  hoped,  how 
ever,  that  the  threatened  storm  would  pass  by,  as  others  had,  and 
that  peace  would  be  preserved.     But  the  insolence  of  Philip,  and 
the  number  of  his  adherents,  increased  daily  ;  and,  in  June, 
1675,  some  of  them  entered  the  town  of  Swanzey,  in  Plymouth, 
where,  after  slaughtering  the  cattle,  and  plundering  the  houses, 
they  fired  upon  the  inhabitants,  killing  and  wounding  several. 

66.  The  troops  of  that  colony  marched  immediately  to  Swan 
zey,  and  were  soon  joined  by  a  detachment  from  Massachusetts. 
The  Indians  fled,  and  marked  the  course  of  their  flight  by 
burning  the  buildings,  and  fixing  on  poles,  by  the  way  side,  the 

,  sr-a]ps\  and  heads  of  .the  whites  whom  they  had  killed. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  39 

The  troops  pursued,  but  unable  to  overtake  them,  returned  to 
Swanzey. 

67.  The  whole  country  was  alarmed,  and  the  number  of  troops 
augmented.     By  this  array  of  force,  Philip  was  induced  to  quit 
his  residence  at  Mount  Hope,  and  take  post  near  a  swamp  at 
Pocasset,  now  Tiverton.     At  that  place,  the  English  attacked 
him,  but  wrere  repulsed.      Sixteen  whites  were  killed,  and  the 
Indians,  by  this  success,  were  made  bolder. 

68.  At  this  time,  most  of  the  settlements  were  surrounded  by 
thick  forests,  and  the  Indians  lived  intermixed  with  the  whites. 
The  former  were  acquainted,  of  course,  with  the  dwellings  of 
the  latter,  with  their  roads,  and  places  of  resort;  could  watch  their 
motions,,  and  fall  upon  them  in  their  defenceless  and  unguarded 
moments.     Many  were  shot  dead  as  they  opened  their  doors  in 
the  morning;  many  while  at  work  in  their  fields,  and  others  while 
travelling  to  visit  their  neighbours,  or  to  places  of  worship.     At 
all  times,  at  all  places,  in  all  employments,  were  their  lives  in 
jeopardy;  and  no  one  could  tell  but  that,  in  the  next  moment,  he 
should  receive  his  death  shot  from  his  barn,  the  thicket,  or  th« 
way  side. 

69.  Whenever  the  enemy  assembled  in  force,  detachments 
were  sent  against  them  ;  if  weaker  than  these,  they  would  re 
treat;  if  stronger,  assault  and  conquer  them.     Defenceless  vil 
lages  were  suddenly  attacked,  the  houses  burned,  and  the  men, 
women,  and  children  killed,  or  carried  into  captivity.      Their 
ruin  was  the  work  of  a  moment;  and  when  accomplished,  its  au 
thors  vanished. 

70.  The  colonies,  losing  individuals,  families  and  villages, 
found  their  numbers  sensibly  diminished;  their  strength  impaired; 
and  began  to  apprehend  even  total  extinction.     Nothing  but  a 
vigorous  effort  could  save  them.      The  commissioners  met,  and 
determined  to  despatch  an  army  of  a  thousand  men,  to  attack  the 
principal  position  of  the  enemy.     Josiah  Winslow,  governor  of 
Plymouth,  was  appointed  commander-in-chief ;  and  a  solemn 
fast,  to  invoke  the  divine  aid,  was  proclaimed  throughout  New- 
England. 

71.  On  the  18th  of  December,  the  different  bodies  of  troops 
vbrmed  a  junction  at  a  place  in  the  country  of  the  Narragansek-, 
about  fifteen  miles  from  the  enemy.     The  weather  was  extreme 
ly  cold,  but  the  men,  from  necessity,  passed  the  night,  uncovered, 
in  the  fields.     At  dawn  cf  day,  they  began  their  march,  wading 
through  the  deep  snow,  ana  at  one  o'docK,  arrived  near  the  ene 
my's  post,  which  was  upon  a  rising  ground,  in  the  midst  ot  a 
swamp.     It  was  surrounded  by  palisades,  and  on  the  outside  of 
these  was  a  fence  of  brush,  a  ro'*  in  width. 


40  MASSACHUSETTS. 

72.  Here  was  fought  the  most  desperate  battle  recorded  in  the 
early  annals  of  the  country.     It  continued  three  hours.     The 
English  obtained  a  decisive  victory.     One  thousand  Indian  war 
riors  were  killed ;  three  hundred  more,  and  as  many  women  ar*u 
children  were  made  prisoners.     But  dearly  was  the  victory  pur 
chased.     Six  brave  captains,  and  eighty  men,  were  killed,  and 
one  hundred  and  fifty  were  wounded. 

73.  From  this  blow,  the  confederated  Indians  never  recovered ; 
but  they  still  remained  sufficiently  strong  to  harass  the  settlements 
by  continual  inroads.     In  retaliation,  the  English  sent  several 
detachments  into  their  territories,  nearly  all  of  which  wrere  suc 
cessful.     Captain  Church,  of  Plymouth,  and  Captain  Dennison. 
of  Connecticut,  were  conspicuous  for  their  bravery  and  good 
fortune. 

74.  In  the  midst  of  these  reverses,  Philip  remained  firm  and 
unshaken.     His  warriors  were  cut  off ;  his  chief  men,  his  wife 
and  family,  were  killed  or  taken  prisoners  ;  and  at  these  succes 
sive  misfortunes,  he  is  represented  to  have  wept  with  a  bitterness 
which  proved  him  to  possess  the  noblest  of  human  virtues  and  affec 
tions  ;  but  he  disdained  to  listen  to  any  offers  of  peace.  He  even  shot 
one  of  his  men,  who  proposed  submission.    At  length,  after  being 
hunted  from  swamp  to  swamp,  he  was  himself  shot,  by  the  brother 
of  the  Indian  he  had  killed.  After  his  death,  the  remnant  of  hisjfol- 
lowers  either  submitted  to  the  English,  or  united  w*ith  distant  tribes. 

75.  Never  was  peace  more  welcome,  for  never  had  war  been 
more  distressing.     The  whole  population  wras  in  mourning  for 
relatives  slain.    Nearly  a  thousand  houses  had  been  burned,  and 
goods  and  cattle  of  great  value,  had  been  plundered  or  destroyed. 
The  colonies  had  contracted  a  heavy  debt,  which,  their  resources 
having  been  so  much  diminished,  they  found  an  almost  insup 
portable  burden.     But,  in  their  deepest  distress,  they  forbore  to 
apply  to  the  mother  country  for  assistance ;  and  this  omission  ex 
cited  surprise  and  jealousy.     "  You  act,"  said  a  privy  counsellor, 
"  as  though  you  were  independent  of  our  master's  crown;  and 
though  poor,  yet  you  are  proud." 

76.  In  1680,  New-Hampshire,  at  the  solicitation  of  John 
Mason,  to  whose  ancestor  a  part  of  the  territory  had  been  grant 
ed,  was  constituted  a  separate  colony.     Massachusetts,  appre 
hending  the  loss  of  Maine  also,  purchased  of  the  heirs  of  Gorges, 
their  claim  to  the  soil  and  jurisdiction,  for  twelve  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds. 

77.  The  disregard  of  the  acts  of  trade  had  given  great  offence 
to  the  mother  country,  and  the  Governors  of  New-England  were 
peremptorily  required  to  enforce  them.    But  being  enacted  by  a 
parliament  in  which  the  colonies  were  not  represented,  they  were 


MASSACHUSETTS.  41 

regarded  as  violations  of  their  rights,  aud  continued  to  be  evaded 
with  impunity.  Edward  Randolph  was  therefore  sent  over, 
commissioned  as  inspector  of  the  customs  in  New-England. 
He  was  also  the  bearer  of  a  letter  from  the  king,  requiring  that 
agents  should  be  sent  to  the  court  of  London,  fully  empowered 
to  act  for  the  colonies. 

78.  It  was  well  understood  to  be  the  intention  of  the  king  to 
procure,  from  the  agents,  a  surrender  of  the  charters,  or  to  annul 
them  by  a  suit  in  his  courts,  that  he  might  himself  place  officers 
over  the  colonies,  who  would  be  subservient  to  his  views.     The 
inhabitants  of  Massachusetts  felt  that  to  be  deprived  of  their 
charter,  which  secured  to  them  the  right  of  self-government, 
would  be  the  greatest  of  calamities  ;  and  their  agents  were  in 
structed,  in  no  emergency,  to  surrender  it.     This  being  known, 
to  the  king,  a  prosecution  was  instituted  against  the  corporation, 
and,  in  1684,  a  subservient  court  decreed  that  the  charter  should 
be  cancelled. 

79.  All  impediments  to  the  exercise  of  the  royal  will  being  thus 
removed,  king  James  established  a  temporary  government  over 
the  colony,  first  appointing  Joseph  Dudley,  and,  in  1686,  Sir 
Edmund  Andross,  governor.     This  latter  appointment  caused 
the  most  gloomy  forebodings.     Sir  Edmund  had  been  governor 
of  New- York,  and  it  was  known  that  his  conduct  there  had  been 
arbitrary  and  tyrannical. 

80.  Having  secured  a  majority  in  the  council,  he  assumed  con 
trol  over  the  press,  appointing  Randolph  licenser.     He  establish 
ed  new  and  oppressive  regulations  concerning  taxes,  public  wor 
ship,  marriages,  and  the  settlement  of  estates.     He>  and,  by  his 
permission,  his  subordinate  officers,  extorted  enormous  fees  for 
their  services.      He  declared  that,  the  charter  being  cancelled, 
Ihe  old  titles  to  land  were  of  no  validity,  and  compelled  the  inha 
bitants,  in  order  to  avoid  suits  before  judges  dependent  on  his 
will,  to  take  out  new  patents,  for  which  large  sums  were  de 
manded. 

81.  The  hatred  of  the  people  was  excited  in  proportion  to  their 
sufferings.     In  the  beginning  of  1689,  a  rumor  reached  Boston, 
that  William,  prince  of  Orange,  had  invaded  England,  with  the 
intention  of  dethroning  the  king.     Animated  by  the  hope  of  de 
liverance,  the  people  rushed  spontaneously  to  arms,  took  posses, 
sion  of  the  fort,  seized  Andross,  Randolph,  and  other  obnoxious 
persons,  and  placed  them  in  confinement.     A  council  of  safety 
consisting  of  their  former  magistrates,  was  then  organized  to 
administer  the  government  until  'authentic  intelligence  shouLS  2? 
received  from  England. 

82.  In  a  few  weeks  a  ship  arrived,  bringing  the  glad  tldj  ^ 

t>2 


42  MASSACHUSETTS. 

that  William  and  Mary  were  firmly  seated  on  the  throne.  They 
were  immediately  proclaimed,  in  all  the  colonies,  with  unusual 
rejoicings.  The  people  of  Massachusetts  applied  for  the  restora 
tion  of  their  old,  or  the  grant  of  a  new  charter.  A  definite  an 
swer  was  deferred,  but  the  council  was  authorized  to  administer 
the  government,  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  old  charter 
until  further  directions  should  be  given.  Andross,  Randolph, 
and  others,  were  ordered  home  for  trial. 

83.  In  this  unsettled  state  of  the  country,  the  French  in  Canada 
and  Nova  Scotia,  instigated  the  northern  and  eastern  Indians  to 
commence  hostilities  against  the  English  settlements.     Dover 
and  Salmon  Falls,  in  New-Hampshire,  Casco,  in  Maine,  and 
Schenectady,  in  New-York,  were  attacked  by  different  parties 
of  French  and  Indians,  and  the  most  shocking  barbarities  perpe 
trated  upon  the  inhabitants. 

84.  Regarding  Canada  as  the  principol  source  of  their  miseries, 
New-England  and  New-York  formed  the  bold  project  of  reducing 
it  to  subjection.    By  great  exertion,  they  raised  an  army,  which. 
under  the  command   of  General  Winthrop,  was  sent  against 
Montreal,  and  equipped  a  fleet,  which,  commanded  by  Sir  Wil 
liam  Phipps,  was  destined  to  attack  Quebec. 

85.  Both  returned  unsuccessful,  disappointing  the  sanguine 
hopes  of  the  people,  and  burdening  them  with  a  debt  which  they 
had  not  the  means  of  discharging.     To  pay  off  her  troops,  Mas 
sachusetts  put  in  circulation  bills  of  credit,  or  paper  money,  an 
expedient  which  was  afterwards  often  resorted  to,  and,  though  it 
afforded  relief  at  the  moment,  produced,  in  its  consequences,  ex 
tensive  and  complicated  mischief. 

86.  In  the  mean  time,  a  new  charter  had  been  granted  to  Mas 
sachusetts,  which  added  Plymouth,  Maine,  and  Nova  Scotia,  to 
her  territory.     The  only  privilege  it  allowed  to  the  people  was, 
the  choice  of  representatives.      These  were  to  elect  a  council, 
and  both  bodies  were  to  constitute  the  legislative  power.     It  re 
served  to  the  king  the  right  of  appointing  the  governor  and  lieu 
tenant  governor.    To  the  governor  it  gave  the  power  of  rejecting 
laws,  of  negativing  the  choice  of  counsellors,  of  appointing^!! 
military  and  judicial  officers, -of  adjourning  and  even  of  dissolving 
the  assembly  at  pleasure.      Laws,  although  approved  by  him, 
might  be  abrogated  by  the  king,  within  three  years  after  their 
enactment. 

87.  The  king,  to  render  the  new  charter  more  acceptable,  ap 
pointed  Sir  William  Phipps,  a  native  of  the  province,  governor, 
and  in  1692,  he  arrived  at  Boston.    The  new  government  went 
into  operation  witbout  any  opposition  from  the  inhabitants  ;  and 
nJmofit  the  first  art  of  S:r  WPI'nm  Pl'.'pn"  nnd  his  council.  \ra* 


MASSACHUSETTS.  43 

ihe  institution  of  a  court  to  try  the  unfortunate  victims  of  popular 
delusion,  accused  of  witchcraft,  at  Salem. 

88.  The  belief  in  this  supposed  crime,  had  been  so  prevalent 
in  England,  that  parliament  had  enacted  a  law  punishing  it  with 
death.     Under  this  law,  multitudes  had  been  tried  and  executed 
in  that  country,  and  two  or  three  in  Massachusetts,  some  of 
whom  acknowledged  they  were  guilty.     Accounts  of  these  trials 
and  confessions,  and  particularly  of  some  trials  before  Sir  Mat 
thew  Hale,  a  judge  revered  in  the  colonies,  had  been  published 
and  distributed  throughout  the  country.     They  were  read,  in  a 
time  of  deep  distress  and  gloom,  by  a  people  naturally  sedate,  and 
accustomed  to  regard  with  awe  the  surprising  and  unaccountable 
incidents  and  appearances  which,  in  this  new  world,  were  often 
presented  to  their  contemplation. 

89.  In  February,  1692,  a  daughter  and  a  niece  of  Mr.  Paris, 
the  minister  of  Salem,  were  afflicted  with  disorders  affecting  their 
bodies  in  the  most  singular  manner.     The  physicians,  unable  to 
account  for  their  contortions,  pronounced  them  bewitched  ;  and 
the  children,  hearing  of  this,  declared  that  an  Indian  woman, 
who  lived  in  the  house,  was  the  cause  of  their  torments.     Mr. 
Paris  concurred  with  the  physicians.     Several  private  fasts  were 
kept  at  his  house,  and  the  gloom  was  increased  by  a  solemn  fast 
throughout  the  colony. 

90.  The  Indian  woman  confessed  herself  guilty.   The  children 
were  visited,  noticed,  and  pitied.     This  encouraged  them  to  per 
severe,  and  other  children,  either  from  sympathy  or  the  desire 
of  similar  attentions,  exhibited  similar  contortions.    A  distracted 
old  woman,  and  one  who  had  been  a  long  time  confined  to  her 
bed,  were  added  to  the  list  of  the  accused  ;  and,  in  the  progress 
of  the  infatuation,  women  of  mature  age  united  with  the  children 
in  their  accusations. 

91.  The  accused  were  multiplied  in  proportion  to  the  accusers. 
Children  accused  their  parents,  and  parents  their  children.     A 
word  from  those  who  were  supposed  to  be  afflicted,  occasioned 
the  arrest  of  the  devoted  victim  ;  and  so  firmly  convinced  were 
the  magistrates,  that  the  prince  of  darkness  was  in  the  midst  of 
them,  using  human,  instruments  to  accomplish  his  purposes,  that 
the  slightest  testimony  was  deemed  sufficient  to  justify  a  commit 
ment  for  trial. 

92.  The  court,  specially  instituted  for  this  purpose,  held  a 
session  in  June,  and  afterwards  several  others  by  adjournment. 
Many  were  tried,  and  received  sentence  of  death.    A  few  pleaded 
guilty.     Several  were  convicted  upon  testimony,  which,  at  other 
times,  would  not  have  induced  suspicion  of  nn  ordinary  crime, 


44  MASSACHTTSET  PS. 

and  some  upon  testimony  retracted  after  conviction.     Nineteen 
were  executed,  and  many  yet  remained  to  be  tried. 

93.  At  this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  the  legislature  established, 
by  law,  a  permanent  court,  by  which  the  other  was  superseded, 
and  fixed  a  distant  day  for  its  first  session  at  Salem.     In  the  mean 
time,  the  accusations  multiplied,  and  additional  jails' were  required 
to  hold  the  accused.     The  impostors,  hardened  by  impunity  and 
success,  ascended  from  decrepid  old   women,   to   respectable 
characters,  and  at  length,  in  their  ravings,  named  ministers  of 
the  gospel,  and  even  the  wife  of  the  governor/; 

94.  The  community  were  thrown  into  consternation.     Each 
felt  alarm  for  himself,  his  family,  and  his  friends.     The  shock 
roused  them  to  reflection.     They  considered  more  closely  the 
character  of  the  accusers  ;  the  nature  of  the  alleged  crime  ;  the 
testimony,  often  contradictory  and  never  explicit ;  and  more  than 
all  these,  the  high  standing  of  some  who  were  implicated ;  and 
began  to  doubt  whether  they  had  not  been  too  credulous  and 
precipitate. 

95.  At  the  next  term,  the  grand  jury  found  indictments  against 
fifty  ;  but,  on  trial,  all  were  acquitted  except  three,  and  them  the 
governor  reprieved.    He  also  directed  that  all  who  were  in  prison 
should  be  set  at  liberty.     A  belief,  however,  of  the  truth  of  the 
charges,  still   lingered  among  the  people,  and  prevented  any 
prosecution  of  the  impostors.     Thut  all  were  impostors,  cannot 
be  believed.     Many  must  have  acted  under  the  influence  of  a 
disordered  imagination,  which  the  attendant  circumstances  were 
well  calculated  to  produce. 

96.  Besides  establishing  courts  of  justice,  the  legislature,  at 
its  first  session  under  the  new  charter,  passed  a  law  \vhich  in 
dicates  the  same  independent  ^pirit  that  afterwards  resisted  the 
usurpations  of  the  British  parliament.     It  provided  that  no  tax 
should  be  imposed  upon  any  of  his  majesty's  subjects,  or  their 
estates,  in  the  province,  but  by  the  act  and  consent  of  the  gover 
nor,  council,  and  representatives  of  the  people,  in  general  court 
•assembled.     It  is  almost  superfluous  to  say,  that  this  law  was 
disallowed  by  the  king. 

97.  The  war  with  the  French  and  Indians,  which  began  in 
1 690,  was  not  yet  terminated.    For  seven  years  were  the  frontier 
settlements  harassed  by  the  savages  ;  and  the  English  employed 
iu  expeditions  against  them.     A  history  of  these  would  consist 
only  of  repeated  accounts  of  Indian  cunning  and  barbarity,  and 
of  English  enterprise  and  fortitude.     Peace  between  England 
and  France,  which  took  place  in  1697,  was  soon  followed  by 
peace  with  the  savages. 


MASSACHUSETTS.  45 

08.  But  in  a  few  years,  war  again  broke  out  in  Europe,  which 
was  the  signal  for  hostilities  in  America.  The  first  blow  fell 
upon  Deerfield.  In  February,  1704,  it  was  surprised  in  the 
night,  about  forty  persons  were  killed,  and  more  than  one 
hundred  made  prisoners,  among  whom  were  Mr.  Williams,  the 
minister,  and  his  family.  The  killed  were  scalped,  and  the 
prisoners  commanded  to  prepare  for  a  long  march  to  Canada. 

99.  On  the  second  day,  Mrs.  Williams  was  so  exhausted  with 
fatigue  that  she  could  go  no  farther.     Her  husband  solicited  per 
mission  to  remain  with  her;  but  the  retreating  savages,  according 
to  their  custom  in  such  cases,  killed  her  and  compelled  him  to 
proceed.     Before  the  termination  of  their  journey,  twenty  more 
became  unable  to  walk,   and  were  in  like  manner  sacrificed. 
Those  who  survived  the  journey  to  Canada  were  treated  by  the 
French  with  humanity ;  and  after  a  captivity  of  many  years, 
most  of  them  were  redeemed,  and  returned  to  their  friends. 

100.  New- York  having  agreed   with   the   French  and  the 
western  Indians  to  remain  neutral,  these  were  enabled  to  pour 
their  whole  force  upon  Massachusetts  and  New-Hampshire,  the 
inhabitants  of  which,  for  ten  years,  endured  miseries  peculiar  to 
an  Indian  war,  and  more  distressing  than  their  descendants  can 
well  imagine.     The  enemy  were  at  all  times  prowling  about  the 
frontier  settlements,  watching  in  concealment  for  an  opportunity 
to  strike  a  sudden  blow  and  fly  with  safety.     The  women  and 
children  retired  into  the  garrisons ;  the  men  left  their  fields  un 
cultivated,  or  labored  with  arms  at  their  sides,  and  with  sentinels 
at  every  point  whence  an  attack  could  be  apprehended. 

101.  Yet  notwithstanding  these  precautions,  the  enemy  were 
often  successful,  killing  sometimes  an  individual  only,  sometimes 
a  whole  family,  sometimes  a  band  of  laborers,  ten  or  twelve  in 
number ;  and  so  swift  were  they  in  their  movements,  that  but 
few  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  whites.     It  was  computed,  that  the 
sum  of  one  thousand  pounds  was    expended  for  every  Indian 
killed  or  made  captive. 

102.  In  1707,  Massachusetts,  New-Hampshire,  and  Rhode- 
Island  despatched  an  armament  against  Port  Royal,  in  Nova- 
Scotia,  which  was  then  in  possession  of  the  French.     It  returned 
without  accomplishing  its  object.     In  1710,  New-England,  as 
sisted  by  a  fleet  furnished  by  the  mother  country,  succeeded  in 
reducing  the  place ;  and  its  name,  in  compliment  to  queen  Anne, 
was  changed  to  Annapolis. 

103.  The  success  of  this  enterprise  encouraged  the  comman 
der,  general  Nicholson,  to  visit  England  and  propose  an  expedi- 
t<on  against  Canada.     His  proposition  was  adopted,  and  in  June, 
1711,  admiral  Walker,  with  afle'et  of  fifteen  ships  of  war  and 


46  MASSACHUSETTS. 

forty  transports,  bringing  an  army  of  veteran  troops,  arrived  at 
Boston.  Taking  on  board  two  additional  regiments,  he  sailed 
from  that  port  about  the  last  of  July.  At  the  same  time,  general 
Nicholson  repaired  to  Albany  to  take  command  of  the  troops 
that  were  to  proceed  by  land. 

104.  When  the  fleet  had  advanced  ten  leagues  up  the  river 
St.  Lawrence,  the  weather  became  tempestuous  and  foggy.     A 
difference  of  opinion  arose  concerning  the  course  to  be  pursued, 
the  English  pilots  recommending  one  course,  and  the  colonial 
another.     The  admiral,  entertaining,  like  all  other  English  offi 
cers,  an  opinion  of  the  abilities  of  the  colonists  corresponding 
with  their  dependent  condition,  adopted  the  advice  of  his  own 
pilots.     Pursuing  the  course  they  recommended,  nine  transports 
were  driven,  about  midnight,  upon  the  rocks  and  dashed  to 
pieces. 

105.  From  every  quarter  cries  of  distress  arose,  conveying, 
through  the  darkness,  to  those  who  were  yet  afloat,  intelligence 
of  the  fate  of  their  comrades  and  of  their  own  danger.     The 
shrieks  of  the  drowning  pleaded  powerfully  for  assistance,  but 
none  could  be  afforded  until  the  morning  dawned,  when  six  or 
seven  hundred,  found  floating  on  the  scattered  wrecks,  were 
rescued  from  death,  more  than  a  thousand  having  sunk  to  rise  no 
more.     Not  a  single  American  was  lost. 

106.  Weakened  by  this  terrible  disaster,  the  admiral  deter 
mined  to  return  to  England,  where  he  arrived  in  the  month  of 
October.     Thither  misfortune  attended  him.     On  the  fifteenth, 
his  ship  blew  up  and  four  hundred  seamen  perished.    The  New- 
England  troops  returned  to  their  homes,  and  Nicholson,  having 
learned  the  fate  of  the  fleet,  led  back  his  troops  to  Albany. 
The  next  year  the  colonies  found  no  repose.     In  1713,  France 
and  England  made  peace  at  Utrecht,  and,  in  the  same  year, 
peace  was  concluded  with  the  Indians. 

107.  Such  was  the  destruction  of  lives  in  this  war,  that  the 
population  of  New-England  was  sensibly  retarded.  Her  expenses 
were  also  enormous.     Although  the  annual  taxes  paid  by  the  in 
habitants,  were  greater  than  in  any  other  portion  of  the  British 
empire,  yet  the  colonies  most  exposed,  were  burdened,  at  the 
close  of  the  war,  with  a  heavy  debt,  in  the  shape  of  bills  of 
credit,  or  paper  money,  which  impeded  their  prosperity,  perplex 
ing  individuals  and  the  government  in  all  their  transactions. 

108.  In  1716,  Samuel  Shute,  a  colonel  in  the  army  of  the 
celebrated  duke  of  Marlborough,  was  appointed  governor.     On 
his  arrival  in  the  province,  he  found  the  people  divided  into  two 
parties,  one  in  favor  of  a  public  bank,  which  had  just  been 
established,  the  other  of  the  incorporation  of  a  private  bank 


MASSACHUSETTS.  47 

He  joined  the  former,  the  latter  of  course  became  hostile  ;  and, 
led  by  a  Mr.  Cooke,  opposed  with  virulence  all  his  measures. 

109.  In  1720,  this  party,  embracing  a  majority  of  the  repre 
sentatives,  elected  their  leader  speaker.      The  choice  was  com 
municated  to  the  governor,  who  interposed  his  negative.     The 
house  persisted  in  their  choice,  denying  his  right  to  interfere. 
The  controversy  continued  several  days,  when  the  governor  dis 
solved  the  assembly,  and  directed  that  a  new  election  should  be 
made  by  the  people. 

110.  The  charter  not  giving,  in  express  terms,  to  the  governor, 
the  power  to  reject  a  speaker,  the  people  resolved  to  support  their 
representatives,  and  nearly  all  of  them  were  again  elected.    When 
met,  to  avoid  a  second  dissolution,  they  chose  a  Mr.  LindalJ 
speaker;  but  in  a  warm  remonstrance  to  the  governor,  con 
demned  his  conduct,  and  re-asserted  their  sole  and  exclusive 
I'ight  to  choose  their  presiding  officer. 

111.  The  session  was  short,  and  but  little  was  done  that  did 
not  display  the  angry  feelings  of  the  house.     Instead  of  six  hun 
dred  pounds,  the  usual  grant  to  the  governor  for  half  a  year's 
salary,  they  appropriated  but  five  hundred,  and,  as  a  mark  of 
their  displeasure,  deferred  that  act  until  near  the  close  of  the 
session. 

.112.  At  their  next  meeting,  the  same  feelings  prevailed  aad 
the  same  diminished  sum  was  voted.  The  governor  then  in 
formed  them,  that  he  had  been  instructed  by  the  king  to  recom 
mend  to  the  assembly,  to  establish  for  him  a  permanent  and 
honorable  salary.  The  house,  aware  of  the  importance  of  re 
taining  the  power  of  granting  such  sums  as  the  governor  might 
merit  by  his  conduct,  replied,  that  the  subject  was  new,  and  ex 
pressed  a  wish  that  the  court  might  rise.  With  this  request  the 
governor  complied. 

1 13.  This  disagreement  continued,  the  ill  temper  of  both  par 
ties  increasing,  through  several  subsequent  sessions.     The  re 
presentatives,  confident  of  the  support  of  the  people,  refused  to 
establish  a  permanent  salary  for  the  governor,  and  often  with 
held  the  pittance  they  gave,  until  he  had  sanctioned  those  mea 
sures  which  they  desired  should  be  adopted. 

1 14.  His  residence  in  the  province  being  rendered,  by  this 
dispute,  unpleasant,  he  suddenly  and  privately  quitted  it,  in  De 
cember,  1722.      Upon   his   arrival   in  England,  he  exhibited 
charges  against  the  house,  of  having  made  various  encroachments 
upon  the  king's  prerogative,  which  the  agents  of  the  province 
were  instructed  to  answer  and  repel. 

115.  He  remained  in  England  until  1728,  when  he  resigned 
his  office,  and  William  I>nrnet,  then  governor  of  New- York,  was 


43  MASSACHUSETTS. 

appointed  his  successor.  In  his  first  speech,  he  informed  the 
house  that  he  had  received  positive  instructions  from  the  king  to 
insist  on  a  permanent  salary.  The  representatives,  generous  o! 
their  money  but  tenacious  of  their  rights,  appropriated  three 
hundred  pounds  for  the  expenses  of  his  journey,  and  fourteen 
hundred  pounds  towards  his  support,  not  specifying  for  what 
time.  The  first  sum  he  accepted ;  but  absolutely  declined  re 
ceiving  any  compensation  for  his  services,  except  in  the  mode  of 
a  fixed  salary. 

116.  The  delegates  were  equally  decided;  and  having  trans 
acted  all  their  necessary  business,  requested  the  governor,  by 
message,  to  adjourn  them.    He  replied,  that  he  could  not  comply 
with  their  request,  as,  if  he  did,  he  should  put  it  out  of  their  powe'r 
to  pay  immediate  regard  to  the  king's  instructions.     A  few  daya 
afterwards,  the  request  was  again  made  and  again  denied. 

117.  Messages,  containing  arguments  and  replies,  were  often 
'nterchanged  by  the  parties.     After  two  months  had  been  con 
sumed  in  the  controversy,  the  governor,  imagining  the  members 
were  influenced  by  the  citizens  of  Boston,  transferred  the  general 
court  to  Salem.     They  were  detained  there  two  months  ;  were 
then  allowed  to  return  to  their  homes ;  were  again  assembled 
after  a  short  recess  ;  and  having  sat  seventeen  days,  were  again 
adjourned  without  exhibiting  any  symptoms  of  compliance. 

118.  A  new  assembly  was  elected,  and  held  several  sessions  in 
the  summer  of  1729,  displaying  the  same  spirit  as  the  former, 
In  the  mean  time,  information  was  transmitted  from  England, 
that  the  king  approved  the  conduct  of  the  governor,  and  con 
demned  that  of  the  house.     Still  the  members  continued  inflex 
ible.    In  August,  they  were  removed  to  Cambridge,  which  served 
to  exasperate  rather  than  to  convince  them.    Here,  however,  the 
controversy  was  suspended,  for  a  time,  by  the  death  of  the  gover 
nor,  which  was  supposed  to  have  been  hastened  by  his  unsuc 
cessful  contest  with  the  house  of  representatives. 

119.  His  successor  was  Mr.  Belcher,  then  agent  in  England. 
As  he  belonged  to  the  popular  party,  his  appointment  gave  rise  to 
the  expectation,  that  the  instruct  ion,  to  obtain  a  permanent  salary, 
was  withdrawn.     But  from  his  first  speech  it  appeared,  that  ij 
was  not  only  left  unrescinded,  but  enforced  by  a  threarof  punish 
ment  in  case  of  refusal. 

120.  The  house,  unintimidated  by  the  threat,  refused.     The 
governor,  during  the  two  first  years  of  his  administration,  made 
several  attempts  to  induce  them  to  comply.     All  failing,  he  en 
deavored  to  obtain  a  relaxation  of  his  instructions.     Permission 
was  at  length  granted  that  he  might  receive  a  particular  sun 
7?hich  was  voted,  and  a  similar  permission  was  afterwards  annu 


MASSACHUSETTS. 

filly  given.  Thus  ended  a  contest  which  prepared  the  people  of 
Massachusetts  to  embark  in  an  other  in  which  more  important 
rights  were  to  be  defended. 

121.  These  turbulent  times  were  succeeded  by  a  calm  which 
continued  several  years  ;  during  which,  however,  the  enemies  of 
governor  Belcher,  by  incessant  misrepresentation,  deprived  him 
of  the  favor  of  the  ministry  in  England.     In  1740,  he  was  re 
moved  from  office,  and  Mr.  William  Shirley  appointed  in  his 
place. 

122.  In  1744,  war  again  broke  out  between  England  and 
France,  and  the  colonies  were  involved  in  its  calamities.    Their 
commerce  and  fisheries  suffered  great  injury  from  privateers, 
fitted  out  at  Louisburg,  a  French  port,  on  cape  Breton.    Its  situ 
ation  gave  it  such  importance,  that  nearly  six  millions  of  dollars 
had  been  expended  on  its  fortifications.     Mr.  Vaughan,  of  New- 
Hampshire,  who  had  often  visited  that  place  as  a  trader,  con 
ceived  the  project  of  an  expedition  against  it.    He  communicated 
it  to  governor  Shirley,  and,  being  ardent  and  enthusiastic,  con 
vinced  him  that  the  enterprise  was  practicable,  and  inspired  him 
with  his  own  enthusiasm. 

123.  Having  exacted  of  the  general  court  an  oath  of  secrecy, 
the  governor,  in  January,  1745,  communicated  to  them  the  pro 
ject.    Many  heard  it  with  amazement.    So  strong  was  the  place, 
and  so  weak  comparatively  were  the  colonies,  that  the  thought  of 
attacking  it  seemed  rash  and  presumptuous.     From  respect  to 
him,  however,  his  proposal  was  referred  to  a  committee ;  they 
reported  against  it,  the  house  accepted  the  report,  and  the  mem 
bers  dismissed  from  their  minds  all  thoughts  of  the  expedition. 

124.  During  the  secret  deliberations,  the  people  watched  with 
anxiety  to  ascertain  their  object.     The  disclosure  was  made  by 
an  honest  member,  who  incautiously,  in  his  family  devotions, 
prayed  for  the  divine  blessing  on  the  attempt,  should  it  be  made. 
The  people  were  instantly  struck  with  the  ad  vantage  of  possessing 
the  place.  When  the  decision  was  made  known,  a  petition,  sign 
ed  by  a  large  number  of  merchants,  was  presented  to  the  genera! 
court,  praying  them  to  comply  with  the  governor's  proposal. 
The  subject  was  again  discussed,  and  a  vote  in  favour  of  the  ex 
pedition  was  passed  by  a  majority  of  one. 

125.  The  question  was  now  decided,  and  all  who  were  before 
averse  to  the  enterprise,  united  heartily  with  its  supporters  to 
carry  it  into  execution.    The  other  New-England  colonies  were 
solicited,  and  agreed  to  furnish  assistance ;  and  a  boat  was  des 
patched  to  commodore  Warren,  in  the  West  Indies,  to  invite  his 
co-operation.     Colonel  Pepperell  was  appointed  commander-in- 
rhier,  and  Roarer  Wolcoft.  of  Connecticut,  second  in  command. 


50  MASSACHUSETTS. 

126.  In  two  months,  an  army  6f  more  than  four  thousand  men 
was  enlisted,  clothed,  victualled,  and  equipped  for  service,  in  the 
four  New-England  colonies,  which  did  not  then  contain  four  hun 
dred  thousand  inhabitants.     On  the  23d  of  March,  the  despatch 
boat  returned  from  the  West  Indies,  with  advice  that  commodore 
Warren  declined  furnishing  aid.     This  intelligence  was  kept  se 
cret.    The  troops  of  Massachusetts  embarked,  as  though  nothing 
discouraging  had  happened,  and  about  the  middle  of  April,  they, 
as  well  as  those  sent  by  Connecticut  and  New-Hampshire,  ar 
rived  safe  at  Canso. 

127.  Commodore  Warren  had  but  just  despatched  his  answer, 
when  he  received  orders  to  repair  to  Boston  with  such  ships  as 
could  be  spared,  and  concert  measures  with  governor  Shirley  for 
his  majesty's  service  in  North  America.    He  sailed  instantly,  but 
learning,  in -his  course,  that  the  transports  had  left  Boston  for 
Canso,  he  steered  directly  for  that  place,  where  he  arrived  on  the 
23d  of  April.     He  added  much  to  their  naval  strength,  and  much 
to  that  confidence,  which,  by  promising,  ensures  victory. 

128.  Several  vessels  of  war,  which  had  been  sent  to  cruise  be 
fore  Louisburg,  had  captured  a  number  of  French  ships,  arid  pre 
vented  any  intelligence  of  the  expedition  from  reaching  the  ene 
my.     These  vessels  were  daily  within  sight  of  the  place,  but 
were  supposed  to  be  privateers,  and  caused  no  alarm.     The  ap 
pearance  of  the  fleet,  on  the  30th  of  April,  gave  the  French  the 
first  intimation  of  their  danger. 

129.  The  troops  immediately  landed,  and  the  next  day  a  de 
tachment  of  four  hundred,  marching  round  the  hills,  approached 
within  a  mile  of  the  grand  battery,  setting  fire  to  all  the  houses 
and  stores  on  tlie  way.     Many  of  these  contained  pitch  and  tar, 
which  produced  a  thick  smoke,  that  completely  enveloped  the 
invaders.     The  fears  of  the  French  were  increased  by  their  un 
certainty.      They  imagined  the  whole  army  was  coming  upon 
iiiein,  and,  throwing  their  powder  into  a  well,  deserted  the  bat 
tery,  of  which  the  New-England  troops  took  possession  without 
loss. 

130.  This  was  uncommon  good  fortune ;  but  the  most  difficult 
labors  of  the  siege  remained  to  be  performed.    The  cannon  were 
to  be  drawn  nearly  two  miles,  over  a  deep  morass,  in  plain  view, 
and  within  gun  shot,  of  the  enemy's  principal  fortifications.    For 
fourteen  nights,  the  troop?,  with  straps  over  their  shoulders,  and 
sinking  to  their  knees  in  mud,  were  employed  in  this  service. 

131.  The  approaches  were  then  begun  in  the  mode  which 
stemed  most  proper  to  the  shrewd  understandings  of  untaught 
militia.      Tiiosc  officers,  who  were  skilled  in  the  art  of  war, 
talked  of  zig  zxgs  ajid  cpc:ik)ne;i!$ ;  but  the  troops  mode  them- 


r  StASSACHUSETTS.  51 

selves  merry  with  the  terms,  and  proceeded  in  their  own  way. 
By  the  20th  of  May,  they  had  erected  five  batteries,  one  of 
which  mounted  five  forty-two  pounders,  and  did  great  execution. 

132.  Meanwhile  the  fleet,  cruising  in  the  harbor,  had  been 
equally  successful.     It  captured  a  French  ship  of  sixty-four 
guns,  loaded  with  stores  for  the  garrison,  to  whom  the  loss  was 
as  distressing,  as  to  the  besiegers  the  capture  was  fortunate. 
English  ships  of  war  were,  besides,  continually  arriving,  and  ad 
ded  such  strength  to  the  fleet  that  a  combined  attack  upon  the 
town  was  resolved  upon.     The  enemy,  discovering  this  design, 
deemed  it  unwise  to  abide  the  hazard  of  an  assault.     On  the 
15th  of  June,  the  French  commander  proposed  a  cessation  of 
hostilities,  and,  on  the  17th,  capitulated. 

133.  Intelligence  of  this  event,  flying  swiftly  through  the 
colonies,  diffused  great  and  universal  joy.     And  well  might  the 
citizens   of  New-England    be   elated   with  the  glad    tidings. 
Without  even  a  suggestion  from  the  mother  country,  they  had 
projected,  and,  with  but  little  assistance,  had  achieved,  an  enter 
prise  of  vast  importance  to  her  and  to  them.     Their  commerce 
and  fisheries  were  now  secure,  and  their  maritime  cities  relieved 
from  all  fear  of  attack  from  that  quarter. 

134.  France,  fired  with  resentment  at  her  loss,  made  extra 
ordinary  exertions  to  retrieve  it,  and  to  inflict  chastisement  on 
"New-England.     The   next  summer,   she   despatched    to    the 
American  coast  a  powerful  fleet,  carrying  a  large  number  of 
soldiers.     The  news  of  its  approach  spread  terror  throughout 
New-England  ;  but  an  uncommon  succession  of  disasters,  which 
the  pious  of  that  time  attributed  to  the  special  interposition  of 
Providence,  deprived  it  of  all  power  to  inflict  injury.     After  re- 
maining'a  short  time  on  the  coast,  it  returned  to  France,  having 
lost  two  admirals,  both  of  whom,  it  was  supposed,  put  an  end  to 
their  lives  through  chagrin  ;  having  also,  by  tempests,  been  re 
duced  to  one  half  its  force,  and  effected  nothing. 

135.  In  17485  peace  was  concluded,  each  party  restoring  all 
its  prisoners  and   conquests ;  a  striking,  but   not  uncommon, 
illustration  of  the  folly  of  war.     Louisburg,  though  conquered  by 
the  colonies,  was  exchanged,  by  Great  Britain,  for  territories 
which  she  had  lost  in  Europe.     New-England  murmured  at  this 
injustice  ;  but  what  avail  the  murmurs  of  the  weak  ? 

136.  From  this  period  to  the  commencement  of  the  next 
French  war,  but  few  important  events  occurred  in  Massachusetts. 
The  bills  of  credit,  which  the  colony  had  issued  to  defray  its 
enormous  expenditure,  were  redeemed  by  the  government,  at 
their  depreciated  value.     This  example  was  followed,  though 


62  NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

tardily,  by  the  other  governments.  At  the  time  of  their  redemp 
tion,  they  were  worth  no  more,  in  some  colonies,  than  one  tenth, 
and  in  others,  one  twentieth,  of  the  sum  for  which  they  had  been 
issued. 


CHAPTER  III. 
NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 


WITH  the  history  of  Massachusetts,  the  parent  of  the  New* 
England  colonies,  that  of  New- Hampshire  has  been  necessarily 
blended.  A  brief  relation  of  some  detached  events,  which  oc 
curred  in  the  latter  colony,  will  now  be  given. 

2.  John  Mason,  Ferdinand  Gorges,  and  others,  having  ob 
tained,  of  the  Plymouth  or  New-England  company,  grants  of 
several  tracts  of  land,  lying  north  of  Massachusetts,  sent  from 
England,  in  1623,  a  few  persons  to  begin  a  settlement.     Part 
landed,  and,  for  a  short  time,  remained  at  Little  Harbor,  on  the 
west  side  of  Piscataqua  river,  and  near  its  mouth.     Here  the 
first  house  was  built,  which  was  called  Mason  Hall.     The  re 
mainder,  proceeding  higher  up  the  river,  settled  at  Cocheco, 
afterwards  called  Dover. 

3.  Fishing  and  trade  being  the  principal  objects  of  these 
emigrants,  their  settlements  increased  slowly.     In   1629,  the 
territory  situated  between  Merrimac  and  Piscataqua  rivers,  and 
extending  sixty  miles  from  the  sea,  was  granted  to  M?son  alone, 
and  then  first  called  New-Hampshire.     In  1631,  the  first  house 
was  built  at  Portsmouth.     In  1638,  the  Reverend  John  Wheel 
wright,  who,  in  1629,  but  previous  to  the  date  of  Mason's  patent, 
had  purchased  the  land  of  the  Indians,  laid  the  foundation  of 
Exeter.     The  next  year,  thirty-five  persons,  residing  in  that 
town,  combined  and  established  civil  government.     Within  a 
year  or  two  afterwards,  the  inhabitants  of  Dover  and  Portsmouth 
followed  their  example,  each  town  remaining  distinct  and  inde 
pendent. 

4.  In  1641,  these  little  republics,  distrusting  their  ability  to 
protect  themselves,  formed  a  coalition  with  Massachusetts,  and 
long  remained  a  part  of  that  colony.     The  civil  wars  in  England 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  53 

diverted  the  attention  of  Mason  from  his  grant,  and  those  who 
migrated  to  the  country  purchased  of  Wheelwright,  the  lands 
which  they  occupied.  In  the  war  with  Philip,  the  settlements 
on  Piscataqua  and  Oyster  rivers,  were  attacked  by  the  Indians, 
and  suffered  severely. 

5.  In  1675,  Robert  Mason,  grandson  and  heir  of  John  Mason, 
applied  to  the  king  to  obtain  possession  of  the  territory  and  rights 
which  had  been  granted  to  his  ancestor.     Notice  of  this  applica 
tion  was  given  to  Massachusetts,  and  the  parties  were  heard  be 
fore  the  king  in  council.     In  1679,  a  decree  was  passed,  that 
New-Hampshire  should  he  constituted  a  separate  province,  to  be 
ruled  by  a  president  and  council,  who  were  to  be  appointed  by 
the  king-,  and  a  house  of  representatives  to  be  chosen  by  the 
people.     No  decision  was  made  affecting  tjjie  titles  to  land. 

6.  The  first  assembly,  consisting  of  eleven  members,  met,  in 
16SO,  at  Portsmouth.   At  this  session,  a  code  of  laws  was  adopted, 
of  which  the  first,  in  a  style'  worthy  of  freemen,  declared,  "  that 
no  act,  imposition,  law,  or  ordinance,  should  be  imposed  upon  the 
inhabitants  of  the  province,  but  such  as  should  be  made  by  the 
assembly,  and  approved  by  the  president  and  council."     This 
was  twelve  years  previous  to  the  enactment  of  a  similar  law  iw 
Massachusetts. 

7.  In  the  same  year,  Mason,  who  had  been  appointed  a  mem 
ber  of  the  council,  arrived  in  the  colony.     He  assumed  the  title 
of  lore!  proprietor,  claimed  the  soil  as  his  property,  and  threatened 
to  prosecute- all  who  would  not  take  from  himleases  of  the  lands 
they  occupied.     Hi?  pretensions  were  resisted  by  most  of  the  in 
habitants,  who  claimed  the  fee-simple  of  the  soil  by  a  more 
righteous,  if  not  more  legal  title. 

8.  The  peace  of  the  colony  was  long  disturbed  by  these  con 
flicting1  claims.    At  the  head  of  those  who  contended  with  Mason, 
stood  Major  Waldron,  cf  Dover.    Against  him,  and  many  others, 
suite  were  instituted.     No  defence  was  made,  judgments  were 
obtained,  but  so  general  was  the  hostility  to  Mason,  that  he  never 
dared  to  enforce  them. 

9.  Over  Massachusetts  and  New-Hanipshiife,  the  same  gov 
ernor   usually  presided.      After  Andross  was  deposed,  the.  in 
habitants  of  the  latter  colony  desired  to  be  incorporated  with  their 
iormer  brethren.     Their  request  was  opposed  by  Samuel  Allen, 
who  had  purchased    Mason's  title,  and  was  refused.     Allen  was 
made  governor  of  the  colony,  and,  by  hits  influence,  John  Usher, 
his  scn-in-iaw,  was  appointed  lieutenant  governor.     Under  his 
administration,  the  disputes,  occasioned  by  adverse  claims  to 
Jand.  continued  to  rage  with  increased  violence.      Other  suits 

instituted,  and  judgments  obtained  :  hut  the  sheriff  was 


64  NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

forcibly  resisted,  by  a  powerful  combination,  whenever  he  at 
tempted  to  put  the  plaintiff  in  possession. 

10.  From  Indian  wars  this  colony  suffered  more  than  any  of 
her  sisters.     The  surprise  of  Dover,  in  1689,  was  attended  by 
circumstances  of  the  most  shocking  barbarity.     That  the  natives 
had  been  cruelly  injured  by  major  Waldron,  the  principal  citizen, 
may  account  for,  if  not  extenuate,  their  ferocity  in  obtaining  re 
venge. 

11.  Having  determined  upon  their  plan  of  attack,  they  em 
ployed  more  than  their  usual  art,  to  lull  the  suspicions  of  the 
inhabitants.     So  civil  aid  respectful  was  their  behavior,  that 
they  often  obtained  permission  to  sleep  in  the  fortified  houses  in 
the  town.     On  the  evening  of  the  fatal  night,  they  assembled  ir» 
the  neighborhood,  and  sent  their  women  to  apply  for  lodgings,  at 
the  houses  devoted  to  destruction ;  who  were  not  only  admitted, 
but  were  shown  how  they  could  open  the  doors  should  they  have 
occasion  to  go  out  in  the  night. 

12.  When  all  was  quiet,  the  doors  were  opened  and  the  signal 
given.     The  Indians  rushed  into  Waldron's  house,  and  hastened 
to  his  apartment.     Awakened  by  the  noise,  he  seized  his  sword 
and  drove  them  back,  but  when  returning  for  his  other  arms, 
was  stunned  with  a  hatchet,  and  fell.     They  then  dragged  him 
into  his  hali,  seated  him  in  an  elbow  chair,  upon  a  long  table, 
and  insultingly  asked  him,  "  who  shall  judge  Indians  now  ?" 
After  feasting  upon  provisions,  which  they  compelled  the  rest  of 
the  family  to  procure,  each  one,  with  his  knife,  cut  gashes  across 
his  breast,  sayiLg,  "I  cross  out  my  account."     When,  weakened 
with  the  loss  of  blood,  he  was  about  to  fall  from  the  table,  his 
own  sword  was  held  under  him,  which  put  an  end  to  his  misery. 

13.  At  other  houses,  similar  acts  of  cruelty  were  perpetrated. 
In  the  whole,  twenty-three  persons  were  killed,  twenty-nine 
carried  prisoners  to  Canada,  and  mostly  sold  to  the  French. 
Remembering  kindness  as  well   as   injury,   they   spared   one 
woman,  who,  thirteen  years  before,  had  conferred  a  favor  on  one 
of  the  party.     Many  houses  were  burned,  much  property  was 
plundered,  and  so  expeditious  were  the  Indians,  that  they  had 
fled  beyond  reach  before  the  neighboring  people  could  be  col 
lected. 

14.  The  war  thus  commenced  was  prosecuted  with  great 
vigor.     The  French,  by  giving  premiums  for  scalps,  and  by 
purchasing  the  English  prisoners,  animated  the  Indians  to  exert 
all  their  activity  and  address,  and  the  frontier  inhabitants  endured 
the  most  aggravated  sufferings.     The  settlements  on  Oyster  river 
were  again  surprised  ;  twenty  houses  were  burned,  and  nearlj- 
onf»  T->v"Hrrrl  person*  wr?  killed  or  mnde  prisoners.     Othe? 


NEW-HAMPSHIRE.  55 

towns  were  attacked,  many  persons  slain,  and  many  carried  into 
captivity.  The  peace  of  Ryswick,  in  1697,  closed  the  distressing 
scene.  In  1703,  an  other  war  began,  which  continued  ten  years. 

15.  In  171 9,  above  one  hundred  families,  mostly  Presbyterians, 
emigrated  from  the  north  of  Ireland,  and  settled  the  town  of 
Londonderry.     They  introduced  the  foot  spinning  wheel,  the- 
manufacture  of  linen,  and  the  culture  of  potatoes.     They  were 
industrious,  hardy,  and  useful  citizens. 

16.  From  1722,  to  1726,  the  inhabitants  again  suffered  the 
afflictions  of  an  Indian  war.      Following  the  example  of  the 
French,  the  government  offered  premiums  for  scalps,  which 
induced  several  volunteer  companies  to  undertake  expeditions 
against  the  enemy.    One  of  these,  commanded  by  captain  Love- 
well,  was  greatly  distinguished,  at  first  by  its  successes,  and  after 
wards  by  its  misfortunes. 

1 7.  Long  after  the  transfer  from  Mason  to  Allen,  some  defect 
in  the  conveyance  was  discovered,  which  rendered  it  void.      In 
1746,  John  Tufton  Mason,  a  descendant  of  the  original  grantee, 
claiming  the  lands  possessed  by  his  ancestors,  conveyed  them, 
for  fifteen  hundred  pounds,  to  twelve  persons,  subsequently  called 
the  Masonian  proprietors.      They,  to  silence  opposition,  volun 
tarily  relinquished  their  claim  to  the  lands  already  occupied  by 
others. 

18.  They  also  granted  townships  on  the  most  liberal  terms. 
Reserving  certain  portions  of  the  land  for  themselves,  for  the 
first  settled  ministers,  and  for  schools,  they  required  merely  that 
the  grantees  should,  within  a  limited  time,  erect  mills  and  meet 
ing  houses,  clear  out  roads,  and  settle  ministers  of  the  gospel. 
In  process  of  time,  nearly  all  the  Masonian  lands,  being  about 
one  fourth  of  the  whole,  were,  in  this  manner,  granted ;  and 
contention  and  law  suits  ceased  to  disturb  the  repose,  and  to 
impede  the  prosperity  of  the  colony. 


CHAPTER  IV. 
CONNECTICUT. 


IN  1631,  Viscount  Say  and  Seal,  Lord  Brook,  and  others, 
obtained  from  the  Plymouth  Company,  in  England,  a  grant  of 
the  territory  which  now  constitutes  the  state  of  Connecticut ;  and 
so  little  was  then  known  of  the  geography  of  the  new  world,  that 
the  grant  was  made  to  extend,  in  longitude,  from  the  Atlantic 
Ocean  to  the  South  Sea.  In  the  same  year,  the  Indians,  living 
on  Connecticut  river,  having  invited  the  colony  of  Plymouth  to 
make  a  settlement  on  their  lands,  governor  Winslow,  and  others, 
visited  the  country,  and  selected  a  place  near  the  mouth  of  the 
little  river  in  Windsor,  for  the  erection  of  a  trading  house. 

2.  The  Dutch  at  New- York,  apprized  of  this  project  of  the 
English,  and  determined  to  anticipate  them,  immediately  des 
patched  a  party,  who  erected  a  fort  at  Hartford.     In  September, 
1633,  a  company  from  Plymouth,  having  prepared  the  frame  of 
a  house,  put  it  on  board  a  vessel,  and,  passing  the  fort,  conveyed 
it  to  the  place  previously  selected.     In  October,  they  raised, 
covered,  and  fortified  it  with  palisades.    The  Dutch,  considering 
them  intruders,  sent,  the  next  year,  a  party  of  seventy  men  to 
drive  them  from  the  country,  but  finding  them  strongly  posted, 
they  relinquished  the  design. 

3.  In  the  autumn  of  1635,  many  of  the  inhabitants  of  Dor 
chester  and  Watertown,  in  Massachusetts,  having  heard  of  the 
fertile  meadows  on  Connecticut  river,  removed  thither,  and  be- 
$r»n  settlements  at  Weathersfield  and  Windsor.    During  the  next 
winter,  their  sufferings  from  famine  were  extreme.     So  destitute 
were  they  of  provisions,  that  many,  in  dread  of  starvation,  re 
turned,  in  December,  to  Massachusetts.   In  their  journey  through 
the  dreary  wilderness,  at  this  inclement  season,  they  encountered 
indescribable  hardships. 

4.  In  the  same  autumn,  Mr.  Winthrop  arrived  from  England, 
with  instructions  from  the  patentees  to  erect  a  fort  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  and  make  the  requisite  preparation  for  planting  a 
colony.     The  fort  was  but  just  completed  when  a  party,  sent, 
for  the  same  purpose,  by  the  Dutch,  at  New- York,  arrived  in 
a.  vessel,  but  wrcre  not  permitted  to  lurid. 

5.  The  next  spring,  those  who  had  been  compelled  by  famine 
fo  revisit  Massachusetts,  returned  1<>  Connecticut.    In  June,  the 


CONNECTICUT.  57 

Reverend  Mr.  Hooker,  of  Cambridge,  and  about  one  hundred 
men,  women,  and  children,  belonging  to  his  congregation,  tra 
velling  through  the  wilderness,  laid  the  foundation  of  Hartford. 
They  were  nearly  two  weeks  on  their  journey ;  they  drove  their 
cattle  with  them,  and  subsisted,  by  the  way,  upon  the  milk  of  their 
cows. 

6.  In  1637,  all  the  settlements  in  New-England  were  involved 
in  hostilities  with  the  Pequods,  a  tribe  of  Indians  inhabiting  New- 
London  and  the  country  around  it.      Some  account  of  this  war 
has  been  given  in  the  history  of  Massachusetts.    Previous  to  any 
expedition  against  them,  they  had  killed  many  of  the  emigrants 
to  Connecticut,  had  captured  others,  and  tortured  them  to  death. 
In  the  short  war  which  followed,  their  surviving  brethren,  for 
bravery  in  battle  and  fortitude  in  suffering,  were  not  surpassed 
by  any  portion  of  the  English  troops, 

7.  At  first,  the  emigrants  acknowledged  the  authority  of  Mas 
sachusetts.    In  January,  1639,  the  freemen,  having  convened  at 
Hartford,  adopted  a  constitution  for  themselves.    They  ordained 
that  two  general  courts,  or  assemblies,  should  be  held  annually, 
one  in  April,  the  other  in  September ;  that  at  the  court  held  in 
April,  styled  the  court  of  election,  the  freemen  should  choose  a 
governor,  six  magistrates,  and  all  the  public  officers  ;  that  to  the 
other,  the  several  towns  should  send  deputies,  who,  in  conjunc 
tion  with  th«  governor  and  magistrates,  were  authorized  to  enact 
laws,  and  perform  all  necessary  public  services.     No  general 
court  could  be  adjourned  or  dissolved,  without  the  consent  of  a 
major  part  of  the  members. 

8.  In  the  same  year,  George  Fenwick,  one  of  the  patentees, 
came  over  vrith  his  family,  and  settled  at  the  mouth  of  the  river. 
In  honor  of  Lord  Say  and  Seal5  nyid  Lord  Brook,  he  called  the 
place  Saybrook.     Others  afterwards  joined  him  ;  and  for  several 
years,  they  were  governed  by  their  own  magistrates  and  laws. 
In  1644,  Mr.  Fenwick,  for  seven  thousand  dollars,  assigned  to 
the  general  court  of  Connecticut,  the  fort  at  Saybrook,  and  all 
the  rights  conferred  by  the  patent  from  the  Plymouth  company 
in  England.      This  settlement  then  became  a  part  of  the  colo 
ny.     The  claim  of  Plymouth  colony,  founded  upon  their  having 
first  made  an  establishment  at  Windsor,  had  been  previously  pur 
chased. 

9.  In  the  mean  time,  an  other  colony  had  been  planted  within 
the  limits  of  the  Connecticut  patent.     In  June,  1637,  two  large 
ships  arrived  at  Boston,  from  England,  having  on  board  Mr. 
Davenport,  Mr.  Eaton,  and  many  others,  whom  pious  motives 
had  impelled  to  emigrate  to  New-England.      Being  highly  re- 
fpectable,  and  some,  of  them  possessing  great  wealth,  the  general 


58  CONNECTICUT. 

court  of  Massachusetts,  desirous  of  detaining  them  in  the  colony, 
offered  them  any  place  they  might  select  for  a  plantation. 

10.  Wishing,  however,  to  institute  a  civil  and  religious  com 
munity,  conforming  in  all  things  to  their  peculiar  principles,  they 
removed,  the  next  year,  to  Quinnipiac,  which  they  called  New- 
Haven.     Soon  after  their  arrival,  at  the  close  of  a  day  of  fasting 
and  prayer,  they  subscribed  what  they  termed  a  plantation  cove 
nant,  solemnly  binding  themselves,  "  until  otherwise  ordered,  to 
be  governed  in  all  things,  of  a  civil  as  well  as  religious  concern, 
by  the  rules  which  the  scripture  held  forth  to  them."    They  pur 
chased  of  the  natives,  large  tracts  of  land  ;  and  laid  out  their 
town  in  sqrares,  designing  it  for  a  great  and  elegant  city. 

11.  In  1639,  all  the  free  planters,  assembled  in  a  large  barn, 
proceeded  to  lay  the  foundation  of  their  civil  and  religious  polity. 
They  resolved  that  none  but  church  members  should  be  allowed 
the  privilege  of  voting,  or  be  elected  to  office  ;  that  all  the  free 
men  should  annually  assemble  and  elect  the  officers  of  the  colo 
ny  ;  and  that  the  word  of  God  should  be  the  only  rule  for  order 
ing  the  affairs  of  the  commonwealth.     Such  was  the  original 
constitution  of  New-Haven ;  but  as  the  population  increased,  and 
new  towns  were  settled,  different  regulations  were  adopted,  and 
the  institutions  and  laws  became  gradually  assimilated  to  those  of 
Connecticut. 

12.  With  the  Dutch  at  New- York,  both  colonies  had  constant 
and  vexatious  disputes.      The  former  claimed  all  the  territory 
as  far  east  as  Connecticut  river ;  the  latter  complained  that  the 
Dutch  often  plundered  their  property ;  that  they  sold  guns  and 
ammunition  to  the  Indians,  and  even  encouraged  them  to  make 
war  upon  the  English.      The  fear  of  attack  from  that  quarter, 
was  one  of  the  reasons  which,  in  1643,  induced  the  colonies  of 
New- England  to  form  a  confederation  for  their  mutual  defence. 

13.  In  1650,  a  treaty  of  amity  and  partition  was  concluded  at 
Hartford,  between  the  English  and  Dutch,  the  latter  relinquish 
ing  their  claim  to  the  territory  of  Connecticut,  except  the  lands 
which  they  actually  occupied.    Soon  after,  England  and  Holland 
were  involved  in  war  with  each  other,  but  their  colonies  in  Ame 
rica  agreed  to  remain  at  peace.    Notwithstanding  this  agreement, 
the  Dutch  governor  was  detected  in  concerting  with  the  Indians 
a  plot  for  the  total  extirpation  of  the  English. 

14.  Connecticut  and  New-Haven  were  alarmed ;  a  meeting  of 
the  commissioners  of  the  united  colonies,  was  called,  and  evidence 
of  the  plot  laid  before  them.     A  majority  was  in  favor  of  war ; 
but  the  colony  of  Massachusetts,  being  remote  from  the  danger, 
was  averse  to  it.     As  she  was  much  stronger  than  either  of  the 
others,  it  was,  at  the  suggestion  of  her  deputies,  resolved,  that 


CONNECTICUT.  5£ 

agents  should  first  be  sent  to  demand  of  the  Dutch  governor  an 
explanation  of  his  conduct. 

15.  The   agents  obtained  no  satisfactory  explanation.     On 
liieir  return,  an  other  meeting  of  the  commissioners  was  held  at 
Boston,  additional  testimony  was  laid  before  them,  and  several 
ministers  of  Massachusetts  were  invited  to  assist  at  their  delibera 
tions,  a  practice  not  unusual  at  that  period. 

16.  The  opinion  of  these  ministers  being  requested,  they  ob 
served,  "that  the  proofs  of  the  execrable  plot,  tending  to  the 
destruction  of  the  dear  saints  of  God,  were  of  such  weight  as  to 
induce  them  to  believe  the  reality  of  it ;  yet  they  were  not  so 
fully  conclusive  as  to  bear  up  their  hearts  with  the  fulness  of 
persuasion  which  was  meet  in  commending  the  case  to  God  in 
prayer,  and  to  the  people  in  exhortations ;  and  that  it  would  be 
safest  for  the  colonies  to  forbear  the  use  of  the  sword." 

17.  But  all  the  commissioners,  except  one,  were  of  opinion 
that  recent  aggressions  justified,  and  self  preservation  dictated,  an 
appeal  to  the  sword.     They  were  about  to  declare  war,  when  the 
general  court  of  Massachusetts,  in  direct  violation  of  one  of  the 
articles  of  the  confederation,  resolved,  "  that  no  determination 
of  the  commissioners,  though  all  should  agree,  should  bind  -the 
colony  to  engage  in  hostilities." 

18.  At  this  declaration,  Connecticut  and   New-Haven   felt 
alarmed  and  indignant.     They  considered  the  other  colonies  too 
weak,  without  the  assistance  of  Massachusetts,  to  contend  with 
the  Dutch  and  their  Indian  allies.     They  argued,  entreated,  and 
remonstrated,  but  she  continued  inflexible.     They  then  repre 
sented  their  danger  to  Cromwell,  and  implored  his  assistance. 
He,  with  his  usual  promptitude,  sent  a  fleet  for  their  protection, 
and  for  the  conquest  of  their  enemies  ;  but  peace  in  Europe,  in 
telligence  of  which  reached  New-England  soon  after  the  arrival 
of  the  fleet,  saved  the  Dutch  from  subjugation,  and  relieved  the 
colonies  from  the  dread  of  massacre. 

19.  After  Charles  the  second  was  restored  to  the  throne, 
Connecticut  applied  to  him  for  a  royal  charter.     A  trifling  cir 
cumstance  induced  him,  forgetting  all  his  arbitrary  maxims,  to 
comply  with  her  wishes  to  their  utmost  extent.     Her  agent,  Mr. 
Winthrop,  having  an  extraordinary  ring,  which  had  been  given 
o  his  grandfather  by  Charles  the  first,  presented  it  to  his  son. 
He  immediately  granted  a  charter,  more  liberal  in  its  provisions 
than  any  that  had  yet  been  granted,  and  confirming,  in  every 
particular,  the  constitution  which  the  people  had  themselves 
adopted.' 

20.  This  charter  comprehended  New-Haven ;  but,  for  several 
,  the  people  of  that  colony  utterly  refused  to  consent  (o  the 


60  CONNECTICUT. 

union.  In  this  opposition  to  the  commands  of  the  king,  and  the 
remonstrances  of  Connecticut,  they  persevered  until  1665,  when 
the  apprehension  of  the  appointment  of  a  general  governor,  and 
of  their  being  united  with  some  other  colony,  having  a  charter 
less  favorable  to  liberty,  impelled  them,  though  reluctantly,  to 
yield. 

21.  In  the  war  with  Philip,  which  began  in  1675,  Connecticut 
suffered  less  than  her  sister  colonies.     Her  aid,  however,  in  full 
proportion  to  her  strength,  was  always  freely  afforded ;  and  no 
troops  surpassed  her  volunteers  in  bravery  and  enterprise.     A 
large  number,  and  many  of  them  officers,  were  killed  at  the 
assault  upon  the  fort  at  Narraganset 

22.  In  1686,  king  James  the  second,  desirous  of  annulling, 
not  only  the  charters  which  had  been  granted  to  his  English 
cities,  but  those  also  which  had  been  granted  to  his  American 
colonies,  summoned  the  governor  of  Connecticut  to  appear  and 
show  cause  why  her  charter  should  not  be  declared  void.     And 
Sir  Edmund  Andross,  who  had  been  appointed  governor  of  New- 
England,  advised  the  colony,  as  the  course  best  calculated  to 
ensure  the  good  will  of  his  majesty,  to  resign  it  voluntarily  into 
his  hands,  he  having  been  instructed  to  receive  it.   But  the  people 
estimated  too  highly  the  privileges  it  conferred  to  surrender  it 
until  necessity  compelled  them. 

23.  Sir  Edmund,  therefore,  repaired,  with  a  body  of  troops, 
to  Hartford,  when  the  assembly  were  in  session,  and  demanded 
of  them  the  charter.     They  hesitated  and  debated  until  evening. 
It  was  then  produced  and  laid  upon  the  table,  a  large  number  of 
people  being  present.     Suddenly,  the  candles  were  extinguished. 
With  counterfeited  haste,  they  were  again  relighted ;  but  the 
charter  could  no  where  be  found.     In  the  dark,  it  had  been 
privately  carried  off,  by  a  captain  Wadsworth,  and  concealed  in 
a  hollow  tree.     Sir  Edmund,  however,  assumed  the  government 
of  the  colony,  and  ruled  with  the  same  absolute  sway,  though  not 
with  the  same  oppressive  tyranny,  sas  in  Massachusetts. 

24.  When  James  was  driven  from  his  throne  and  kingdom, 
and  his  governor  deposed,    Connecticut  resumed  her  former 
government.     The  assembly  voted  a  flattering  address  to  king 
William.     The  suit,  instituted  for  the  purpose  of  annulling  her 
charter,  was  abandoned ;  and  her  inhabitants,  while  enjoying 
greater  privileges  than  any  of  their  brethren,  had  reason  to  con 
gratulate  themselves  upon  their  address  and  good  fortune  in 
preserving  them. 

25.  But,  not  long  afterwards,  they  were  again  called  upon  to 
defend  these  privileges  from  encroachment.     In  1692,  colonel 
Fletcher  was  appointed  governor  of  New- York,  and  was  authe* 


CONNECTICUT.  61 

rizecf,  by  his  commission,  to  take  command  of  tne  militia  of 
Connecticut.  This  power  having  been  given,  by  the  charter,  to 
the  governor  of  the  colony,  he  determined  not  to  relinquish  it, 
and  in  this  determination  was  supported  by  the  people. 

26.  The  next  year,  when  the  general  court  were  in  session, 
colonel  Fletcher  repaired  to  Hartford,  and  required  that  the 
militia  of  the  colony  should  be  placed  under  his  command.   This 
was  resolutely  refused.     He  then  ordered  the  trainbands  of  the 
city  to  be  assembled.    This  being  done,  he  appeared  before  them, 
and  directed  his  aid  to  read  to  them  his  commission  and  instruc 
tions  from  the  king. 

27.  Captain  Wadsworth,  the  senior  officer  of  the  militia  pre 
sent  instantly  ordered  the  drums  to  beat,  and  such  was  the  noise, 
that  nothing  else  could  be  heard.     Colonel  Fletcher  commanded 
silence ;  and  again  his  aid  began  to  read.    "  Drum,  drum,  I  say," 
exclaimed  Wadsworth,  and  a  command  so  acceptable  to  the 
players,  was  obeyed  with  spirit.     Once  more  the  colonel  com 
manded  silence,  and  a  pause  ensued.     "  Drum,  drum,  I  say," 
cried  the  captain,  and  turning  to  governor  Fletcher,  addressed 
him,  with  energy  in  his  voice  and  meaning  in  his  looks,  "  If  I 
am  interrupted  again,  I  will  make  the  sun  shine  through  you  in 
a  moment." 

28.  Deeming  it  unwise  to  contend  with  such  a  spirit,  colonel 
Fletcher  desisted,  left  Hartford  the  next  night,  and  returned  to 
New- York.     A  representation  of  the   opposing  claims  being 
made  to  the  king,  he  decided  that  the  governor  of  Connecticut 
should  have  the  command  of  the  militia ;  but  in  time  of  war,  a 
certain  number  should  be  placed  under  the  orders  of  Fletcher. 

29.  In  1700,  Yale  college  was  founded.    It  owes  its  existence 
to  the  beneficence  and  public  spirit  of  the  clergy.     It  was  first 
established  at  Saybrook;  and,  in  1702,  the  first  degrees  were 
there  conferred.     Elihu  Yale  made  several  donations  to  the  in 
stitution,  and  from  him  it  derives  the  name  it  bears.    A  succession 
of  able  instructors  has  raised  it  to  the  second  rank  among  the 
literary  institutions  of  the  country. 

30.  In  1708,  an  act  was  passed  by  the  legislature,  requiring 
the  ministers  and  delegates  of  churches  to  meet  and  form  an 
ecclesiastical  constitution  for  the  colony.     A  meeting  was  in  con 
sequence  held  at  Saybrook,  the  result  of  which  was  the  celebra 
ted  Saybrook  platform.     At  the  subsequent  session  of  the  legisla 
ture,  it  was  enacted  that  all  the  churches,  united  according  to 
this  platform,  should  be  owned  as  established  by  law,  allowing, 
however,  to  other  churches,  the  right  of  exercising  worship  and 
discipline  in  their  own  way,  according  to  their  consciences. 

31.  In  th°,  several  abortive  attempts  to  reduce  the  French 

F 


62  RHODE  ISLAND 

settlements  in  Canada,  and  in  the  expedition  against  Louisburg, 
Connecticut  furnished  her  full  quota  of  troops,  and  bore  her  pro 
portion  of  the  expenses.  Of  these,  a  history  is  elsewhere  given. 
After  the  death  of  Philip,  most  of  the  Indians  abandoned  her 
territory,  and  seldom  returned  to  molest  the  inhabitants ;  who, 
living  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  the  privileges  they  desired,  felt  no 
inducement,  and  were  afforded  no  opportunity,  to  perform  such 
actions  as  enliven  the  pages  of  history. 


CHAPTER  V. 
RHODE  ISLAND. 

ROGER  WILLIAMS,  who  was  banished  from  Massacnu- 
setts,  for  avowing  the  doctrine,  that  the  civil  magistrate  is  bound 
to  grant  equal  protection  to  every  denomination  of  Christians,  a 
doctrine  too  liberal  for  the  age  in  which  he  lived,  repaired  to 
Seeconk,  where  he  procured  a  grant  of  land  from  the  Indians. 
Being  informed,  by  the  governor  of  Plymouth,  that  the  land  was 
within  the  limits  of  that  colony,  he  proceeded  to  Mooshausic, 
where,  in  1636,  with  those  friends  who  followed  him,  he  began 
a  plantation.  „  , 

2  He  purchased  the  land  of  the  Indians,  and,  in  grateml 
acknowledgment  of  the  kindness  of  heaven,  he  called  the  place 
Providence.     Acting  in  conformity  with  the  wise  and  liberal 
principle,  for  avowing  and  maintaining  which,  he  had  suffered 
banishment,  he  allowed  entire  freedom  of  conscience  to  all  who 
came  within  his  borders.     And  to  him  must  be  given  the  glory 
of  having  first  set  a  practical  example  of  the  equal  toleration  o 
all  religious  sects  in  the  same  political  community. 

3  His  benevolence  was  not  confined  to  his  civilized  brethren. 
He  labored  to  enlighten,  improve,  and  conciliate  the  savages. 
He  learned  their  language,  travelled  amon*  them,  and  gained 
the  entire  confidence  of  their  chiefs.     He  had  often  the  hap- 


trie  enure  cuuuucn^c;  vi  w  '•     —  f          • 

piness,  by  his  influence  over  them,  of  saving  from  injury  toe 
colony  that  had  proclaimed  him  an  outlaw,  and  driven  him  into 
the  wilderness.  .  . 

4    In  1638,  William  Coddington,  and  seventeen  others,  being 
persecuted  for  their  religious  tenets  in  Massachusetts,  f< 


RHODE  ISLAND.  63 

Williams  to  Providence.  By  his  advice,  they  purchased  of  the 
Indians  the  island  of  Aquetnec,  now  called  Rhode  Island,  and 
removed  thither.  Coddington  was  chosen  their  judge,  or  chief 
magistrate.  The  fertility  of  the  soil,  and  the  toleration  of  all 
Christian  sects,  attracted  numerous  emigrants  from  the  adjacent 
settlements. 

5.  When  the  New-England  colonies,  in  1643,  formed  their 
memorable  confederacy,  Rhode  Island  applied  to  be  admitted  a 
member.      Plymouth  objected ;  asserting  that  the  settlements 
were  within  her  boundaries.      The  commissioners  decided  that 
Rhode  Island  might  enjoy  all  the  advantages  of  the  confederacy, 
if  she  would  submit  to  the  jurisdiction  of  Plymouth.     She  de 
clined,  proudly  preferring  independence  to  all  the  benefits  of 
dependent  union. 

6.  In  1644,  Williams,  having  been  sent  to  England  as  agent 
for  both  settlements,  obtained  of  the  Plymouth  company,  a  patent 
for  the  territory,  and  permission  for  the  inhabitants  to  institute  a 
government  for  themselves.      In  1647,  delegates  chosen  by  the 
freemen,  held  a  general  assembly  at  Portsmouth,  organized  a 
government,  and  established  a  code  of  laws.     The  executive 
power  was  confided  to  a  president  and  four  assistants. 

7.  Upon  the  application  of  the  inhabitants,  the  king,  in  1663, 
granted  a  charter  to  Rhode  Island  and  Providence  Plantations. 
The  supreme,  or  legislative  power,  was  to  be  exercised  by  an 
assembly,  which  wras  to  consist  of  the  governor,  of  ten  assistants, 
and  of  representatives  from  the  several  towns,  all  to  be  chosen 
by  the  freemen.      This  assembly  granted  to  all  Christian  sects, 
except  Roman  Catholics,  the  right  of  voting.      In  1665,  they 
authorized,  by  law,  the  seizure  of  the  estates  of  Quakers,  who 
refused  to  assist  in  defending  the  colony  :  but  this  law,  being  ge 
nerally  condemned  by  the  people,  was  never  executed. 

8.  When  Andross  was  made  governor  over  New-England,  he 
dissolved  the  charter  government  of  Rhode  Island,  and  ruled  the 
colony,  with  the  assistance  of  a  council  appointed  by  himself. 
After  he  was  imprisoned,  at  Boston,  the  freemen  met  at.  New 
port,  and  voted  to  resume  their  charter.     All  the  officers  who, 
three  years  before,  had  been  displaced,  were  restored. 

9.  The  benevolence,  justice,  and  pacific  policy  of  Williams, 
secured  to  the  colony  an  almost  total  exemption  from  Indian 
hostility.     In  1730,  the  number  of  inhabitants  was  18,000  ;  in 
1761,  it  was  40,000.      Brown  university  was  founded,  at  War 
ren,  in  1764,  and  was  removed,  a  few  years  after,  to  Providence. 
Its  founder  was  Nicholas  Brown,  who  gave  to  the  institution  five 
thousand  dollars 


CHAPTER  VI. 
NEW-YORK. 


IN  1609,  Henry  Hudson,  an  Englishman,  b        6  m  the 

service  of  the  Dutch  East  India  Company,  discovered  Long 
Island,  the  harbor  of  New- York,  and  the  river  to  which  his  name 
has  been  given.  In  1613,  several  Dutch  merchants,  to  whom 
the  republic  of  Holland  had  granted  the  exclusive  right  of  trading 
to  this  part  of  America,  erected  a  fort  near  Albany,  which  they 
named  fort  Orange,  and  a  few  trading  houses  on  the  island  of 
New- York,  then  called,  by  the  Indians,  Manhattan. 

2.  In  the  same  year,  captain  Argal,  who  had  been  sent  by 
Virginia  to  drive  the  French  from  their  settlements  on  the  bay 
of  Fundy,  visited,  on  his  return,  the  Dutch  on  Hudson's  river. 
Claiming  the  cou^ry  for  his  nation,  by  right  of  prior  discovery, 
he  demanded  the    acknowledgment  of  its  authority.    Being  few 
in  number,  they  prudently  submitted,  without  attempting  to  resist. 

3.  But,  receiving  a  reinforcement,  the  next  year,  they  again 
asserted  the  right  of  Holland  to  the  country,  and  erected  fort 
Amsterdam,  on  the  south  end  of  the  island.      The  English,  for 
many  years,  forebore  to  interfere  in  their  pursuits  or  claims.    In 
1621,  the  republic,  desirous  of  founding  a  colony  in  America, 
granted  to  the  Dutch  West  India  company,  an  extensive  territory 
on  both  sides  of  the  Hudson.      The  country  was  called  New 
Netherlands.     The  boundaries  were  not  accurately  defined,  but 
were  considered,  by  the  company,  as  including  Connecticut  river 
at  the  north,  and  Delaware  river  at  the  south. 

4.  In  1623,  they  erected  a  fort  on  the  Delaware,  which  they 
called  Nassau ;  and,  ten  years  afterwards,  an  other  on  the  Con 
necticut,  which  they  called  Good  Hope.     Near  the  former,  the 
Swedes  had  a  settlement.     From  the  interfering  claims  of  the 
two  nations,  quarrels  arose  between  the  settlers,  which,  after  con 
tinuing  several  years,  terminated  in  the  subjugation  of  the  Swedes. 
Towards  the  fort  on  the  Connecticut,  the  settlements  of  the  Eng 
lish  rapidly  approached,  and  soon  occasioned  disputes,  which  had 
a  longer  duration  and  a  different  result. 

5.  The  Dutch  did  not  escape  the  calamity  of  war  with  the 
savages.      Hostilities  commenced  in   1643,  continued  several 
years,  and  were  very  destructive  to  both  parties.    William  Kieft, 
the  governor  of  the  New  Netherlands,  invited  captain  Underbill, 


NEW-YORK.  65 

who  haa  been  a  soldier  in  Europe,  and  had  made  himself  conspi 
cuous  in  New-Hampshire,  by  his  eccentricities  in  religion  and 
conduct,  to  take  command  of  his  troops.  Collecting  a  flying 
party  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  he  was  enabled  to  preserve 
the  Dutch  settlements  from  total  destmction.  The  number  of 
Indians,  whom  he  killed  in  the  course  of  the  war,  was  supposed 
to  exceed  four  hundred.  In  1646,  a  severe  battle  was  fought  on 
that  part  of  Horse-neck  called  Strickland's  Plain.  The  Dutch 
were  victorious  ;  on  both  sides  great  numbers  were  slain ;  and  foi 
a  century  afterwards  the  graves  of  the  dead  were  distinctly  Visible. 

6.  In  1650,  Peter  Stuyvesarit,  then  the  able  governor  of  the 
New  Netherlands,  met  the  commissioners  of  the  New-England 
colonies  at  Hartford,  where,  after  much  altercation,  aline  of  par 
tition  between  their  respective  territories  was  fixed  by  mutual 
agreement.    Long  [sland  was  divided  between  them  ;  the  Dutch 
retained  the  lands  which  they  occupied  in  Connecticut,  surrender 
ing  their  claim  to  the  residue. 

7.  But  Charles  the  second,  denying  their  right  to  any  portion 
of  the  country,  determined  to  expel  them  from  it.     In  1664,  he 
granted  to  his  brother,  the  Duke  of  York  and  Albany,  all  the 
territory  between  Nova-Scotia  and  Delaware  Bay  ;  and  though 
.England  and  Holland  were  then  at  peace,  immediately  sent  three 
phips  and  three  hundred  troops  to  put  him  in  possession  of  his 
grant.    Colonel  Robert  Nichols  conducted  the  expedition.    The 
squadron,  having  visited  Boston,  reached  the  place  of  its  destina 
tion  in  August. 

8.  The  commander  summoned  governor  Stuyvesant  to  surren 
der  the  town,  promising  to  secure  to  the  inhabitants  their  lives, 
liberty,  and  property.     At  first,  he  refused  ;  but  the  magistrates 
and  people,  allured  by  the  proffered  terms,  constrained  him  to 
consent.      Fort  Orange  surrendered,  soon  after,  to  Sir  George 
Carteret.      In  compliment  to  the  Duke,  the  name,  Manhattan, 
was  changed  to  New-York,  and  Orange  to  Albany. 

9.  Nichols  assumed  the  government  of  the  country  he  had 
conquered,  and  continued,  for  three  years,  to  rule  over  it,  with 
absolute  power,  but  with  great  lenity  and  justice.     During  his 
administration,  New- York  was  made  a  city.    Upon  his  return  to 
England,  he  was  succeeded  by  Colonel  Lovelace,  who  adminis 
tered  the  government  with  equal  moderation. 

10.  In  1673,  England  and  Holland  being  then  at  war,  a  few 
Dutch  ships  were  despatched  to  reconquer  the  country.     On 
(heir  arrival  at  Staten  Island,  a  short  distance  from*  the  city,  John 
Manning,  who  had  command  of  the  fort,  sent  down  a  messenger 
and  treacherously  mnde  terms  with  the  enemy.      The  Dutch 


66  NEW-YORK, 

sailed  up  the  harbor,  landed  their  men,  and  took  possession  of  the 
fort  and  city,  without  firing  or  receiving  a  shot. 

1 1  Captain  Anthony  Colve  was  appointed  governor,  but  he 
retained  the  authority  for  a  few  months  only.  The  next  year, 
peace  was  concluded,  and  the  country  restored  to  the  English. 
The  Duke  obtained  a  new  patent,  confirming  his  title  to  the  pro 
vince,  and  appointed  major  Andross,  the  same  who  was  after 
wards  the  tyrant  of  New-England,  to  be  governor  over  his  ter 
ritories  in  America. 

12.  Neither  the  administration  of  Andross,  nor  that  of  hia 
successor,  Anthony  Brockholst,  was  distinguished  by  any  remark 
able  event.    In  1682,  Colonel  Thomas  Dongan,  who,  as  well  as 
the  Duke,  was  a  Roman  Catholic,  was  appointed  governor,  arid 
the  next  year  arrived  in  the  colony.     Until  this  time,  the  gover 
nor  and  council  had  possessed  absolute  power.    The  inhabitants, 
who,  whether  Dutch  or  English,  were  born  the  subjects  of  a  stats 
comparatively  free,  having,  in  an  address  to  the  Duke,  claimed  a 
share  in  the  legislative  authority,  colonel  Dongan  was  directed  to 
allow  the  freeholders  to  meet  and  choose  representatives. 

13.  On  the  17th  of  October,  the  first  assembly  met,  consisting 
of  the  council  and  eighteen  representatives.     By  the  declaration 
of  the  governor,  they  were  invested  with  the  sole  power  of  en 
acting  laws  and  levying  taxes ;  but  the  laws  could  have  no  force 
until  ratified  by  the  Duke.      With  this  participation  of  power, 
the  people  were  gratified  and  contented ;  and  the  colony  began 
to  enjoy  the  inestimable  advantages  of  a  regular  government. 

14.  The  interior  of  New- York  was  originally  inhabited  by  a 
confederacy  which  consisted  at  first  of  five,  and  afterwards  of  six, 
nations  of  Indians.    This  confederacy  was  formed  for  mutual  de 
fence  against  the  Algonquins,  a  powerful  Canadian  nation,  and 
displayed  much  of  the  wisdom  and  sagacity  which  mark  the  in 
stitutions  of  a  civilized  people.    By  their  union,  they  had  become 
formidable  to  the  surrounding  tribes.     Being  the  allies  of  the, 
English,  the  French  were  alarmed  at  their  successes,  and  be 
came  jealous  of  their  power. 

15.  In  1684,  De  la  Barre,  the  governor  of  Canada,  marched 
to  attack  them,  with  an  army  of  seventeen  hundred  men.     His 
troops  suffered  so  much  from  hardships,  famine,  and  sickness, 
that  he  was  compelled  to  ask  peace  of  those  whom  he  had  come 
to  exterminate.    He  invited  the  chiefs  of  the  five  nations  to  meet 
him  at  his  camp,  and  those  of  three  of  them  accepted  the  invita 
tion.     Standing  in  a  circle,  formed  by  the  chiefs  and  his  own 
officers,  he  addressed  a  speech  to  Garrangula,  of  the  Onondago 
tribe,  in  which  he  accuesHl  the  confederates  of  conducting  the 


NEW-YORK.  6 

English  to  the  trading  grounds  of  the  French,  and  threatened 
them  with  war  and  extermination  if  they  did  not  alter  their 
behavior. 

16.  Garrangula,  knowing  the  distresses  of  the  French  troops, 
heard  these  threats  with  contempt.     After  walking  five  or  six 
times  round  the  circle,  he  addressed  the  following  bold  and 
sarcastic  language  to  De  la  Barre,  calling  him  Yonnondio,  and 
the  English  governor,  Corlear. 

17.  "  Yonnondio,  I  honor  you,  and  the  warriors  that  are  with 
me  likewise  honor  you.     Your  interpreter  has  finished  your 
speech ;  I  now  begin  mine.     My  words  make  haste  to  reach 
your  ears ;  hearken  to  them.     Yonnondio,  you  must  have  believ 
ed,  when  you  left  Quebec,  that  the  sun  had  consumed  all  the 
forests  which  render  our  country  inaccessible  to  the  French,  or 
that,  the  great  lakes  had  overflown  their  banks  and  surrounded 
our  castles,  so  that  it  was  impossible  for  us  to  get  out  of  them. 
Yes,  Yonnondio,  you  must  have  dreamed  so,  and  the  curiosity  of 
so  great  a  wonder  has  brought  you  so  far.     Now  you  are  unde 
ceived,  for  I,  and  the  warriors  here  present,  are  come  to  assure 
you,  that  the  Senecas,  Cayugas,  Onondagas,   Oneydoes,  and 
Mohawks,  are  yet  alive. 

18.  "I  thank  you,  in  their  name,  for  bringing  back  into  their 
country  the  pipe  of  peace,  which  your  predecessor  received  from 
their  hands.     It  was  happy  for  you  that  you  left  under  ground 
that  murdering  hatchet  which  has  been  so  often  dyed  in  the 
blood  of  the  French.     Hear,  Yonnondio,  I  do  not  sleep  ;  I  have 
my  eyes  open,  and  the  sun  which  enlightens  me,  discovers  to  me 
a  great  captain,  at  the  head  of  a  company  of  soldiers,  who  speaks 
as  if  he  was  dreaming.     He  says  that  he  only  came  to  smoke 
the  great  pipe  of  peace,  with  the  Onondagas.     But  Garrangulu 
says,  that  he  sees  the  contrary  ;  that  it  was  to  knock  them  on 
the  head,  if  sickness  had  not  weakened  the  arms  of  the  French. 

19.  "  We  carried  the  English  to  our  Lakes,  to  trade  there 
with  the  Utawawas,  and  Quatoghies,  as  the  Adirondacs  brought 
the  French  to  our  castles  to  cany  on  a  trade  which  the  Englisii 
say  is  theirs.     We  are  born  free  ;  we  neither  depend  on  Yon 
nondio  nor  Corlear.     We  may  go  where  we  please,  and  buy 
and  sell  what  we  please.     If  your  allies  are  your  slaves,  use  them 
as  such  ;  command  them  to  receive  no  other  but  your  people. 

20.  "  Hear,  Yonnondio ;  what  I  say  is  the  voice  of  all  the 
Five  Nations.     When  they  buried  the  hatchet  at  Cadaracui,  iu 
the  middle  of  the  fort,  they  planted  the  tree  of  peace  in  the  SCTIG 
place,  to  be  there  carefully  preserved,  that  instead  of  a  rctrcrt 
for  soldiers,  the  fort  might  be  a  rendezvous  for  merchants.  T&ka 

e  that  the  many  soldiers  who  appear  there,  do  not  choke  the 


68  NEW-YORK. 

free  of  peace,  and  prevent  it  from  covering  your  country  and  ouri 
with  its  branches.  I  assure  you  that  our  warriors  shall  dance 
under  its  leaves,  and  will  never  dig  up  the  hatchet  to  cut  it  down, 
till  their  brother  Yonnondio  or  Corlear  shall  invade  the  country 
which  the  Great  Spirit  ha^  given  to  our  ancestors." 

21.  De  la  Barre  was  mortified  and  enraged  at  this  bold  reply; 
but,  submitting  to  necessity,  he  concluded  a  treaty  of  peace,  and 
returned  to  Montreal.    His  successor,  De  Nonviile,  led  a  larger 
army  against  the  confederates ;  but  fell  into  an  ambuscade  ana 
was  defeated.     These  wars  within  the  limits  of  the  colony,  kepi 
colonel  Dongan  actively  employed,  and  served  to  perpetuate  the 
enmity  of  the  Indians  against  the  French,  and  their  attachment 
to  the  English. 

22.  In  the  mean  time,  the  duke  of  York  ascended  the  throne 
of  England.     Claiming  unlimited  authority  as  king,  and  pro 
fessing  the  Catholic  religion,  he  was  hated  and  feared  by  a  great 
portion  of  the  inhabitants,  who  were  devoted  to  the  cause  oJ 
freedom,  and  to  the  principles  of  the  protestants.     The  governor 
xvas  also  an  object  of  their  dislike  and  distrust.    Catholics,  coun 
tenanced  by  him,  repaired  in  great  numbers  to  the  colony,  am) 
pious  protestants  trembled  for  their  religion. 

23.  In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1689,  information  was  re 
ceived  from  England  that  the  people  had  resolved  to  dethrone 
their  sovereign,  and   offer  the   crown  to   William,  prince   of 
Orange  ;  and  from  Massachusetts,  that  the  citizens  had  deposed 
and  imprisoned  sir  Edmund  Andross,  their  governor.     This 
encouraged  the  disaffected,  and  presented  an  example  for  their 
imitation. 

24.  Several  militia  captains  assembled  to  determine  on  the 
measures  expedient  to  be  adopted.     Of  these,  Jacob  Leisler  was 
the  most  active.     He  was  destitute  of  every  qualification  neces 
sary  to  conduct  a  difficult  enterprise,  but  possessed  the  esteem 
and  confidence  of  the  other  officers,  and  of  the  people.    Milborne. 
his  son-in-law,  concerted  all  his  measures,  and  controlled  his 
conduct. 

25.  They  determined  to  obtain  possession  of  the  fart.    Leisler 
entered  it  with  fifty  men,  and  published  a  declaration  in  favor  ot 
the  prince  of  Orange.     The  magistrates  and  most  respectable 
citizens  discountenanced  the  proceeding,  and,  at  first,  but  few 
had  the  courage  to  declare  themselves  his  friends.     To  induce 
them  to  act,  a  report  was  circulated  that  three  ships,  with  orders 
from  the  prince,  were  sailing  up  the  harbor.     His  party  was  in 
stantly  augmented  by  six  captains,  and  nearly  five  hundred  men, 
a  force  sufficient  to  overpower  all  opposition. 

26.  Before  t.bp?e  disturbances,  colonel  Dongan  had  resigned 


NEW-YORK.  69 

his  office,  and  embarked  for  England.  Lieutenant-governor 
Nicholson,  unable  to.  contend  with  Leisler,  absconded  in  the 
night.  The  province  being  thus  left  without  a  chief  magistrate, 
Leisler  was  promoted,  by  his  adherents,  to  that  station.  He  sent 
an  address  to  king  William  and  queen  Mary,  whose  authority  he 
acknowledged,  and,  soon  after,  a  private  letter  to  the  king,  ex 
pressing,  in  low  and  incorrect  language,  the  warmest  protesta 
tions  of  loyalty  and  zeal. 

27.  His  sudden  elevation  excited  the  envy  of  those  magistrates 
and  citizens  who  had  declined  to  join  him  in  proclaiming  king 
William.     Bayard  and  Courtlandt,  unable  to  raise  a  party  against 
him  in  the  city,  retired  to  Albany,  where  their  exertions  were 
successful.    To  diminish  their  influence,  and  to  allay  the  jealousy 
of  others,  he  invited  several  worthy  citizens  to  unite  with  him  in 
administering  the  government,  a  trust  which  had  been  confided 
to  him  alone,  by  the  militia. 

28.  In  a  few  months,  however,  a  letter  arrived  from  the 
ministry  in  England,  directed  "  to  such  as,  for  the  time  being, 
take  care  for  administering  the  laws  of  the  province,"  and  con 
ferring  authority  to  perform  all  the  duties  of  lieutenant-governor. 
Leisler  considered  this  letter  addressed  to  himself,  assumed  the 
authority  conferred,  appointed  his  council,  and  issued  commissions 
in  his  own  name. 

29.  The  people  of  Albany,  led  by  Bayard,  Courtlandt,  and 
Livingston,  acknowledged  king  William,  but  refused  to  submit 
to  Leisler.     Milborne  was  sent  with  a  body  of  troops  to  enforce 
obedience,  but,  finding  them  united,  he  returned  without  attempting 
it.     The  next  spring,  going  with  a  stronger  force,  he  succeeded. 
The  leaders  of  the  party  fled,  and  their  property  was  confiscated. 
This  arbitrary  and  unjust  measure  so  exasperated  the  sufferers, 
that  they  and  their  posterity  long  retained  the  most  violent  animo 
sity  against  Leisler  and  his  adherents. 

30.  During  these  troubles  in  the  colony,  war  was  declared 
between  France  and  England.     De  Nonville  being  recalled. 
Count  Frontenac  was  appointed   governor    of    Canada.      In 
January,  1690,  he  despatched  several  parties  against  the  English 
settlements.     One  of  these,  consisting  of  Frenchmen  and  Cagh- 
nuaga  Indians,  was  sent  against  Albany,  but  resolved  to  attack 
Schenectaciy.     To  the  inhabitants  of  this  village,  information  was 
given  of  their  danger ;  but  they,  judging  it  impossible  for  the 
enemy  to  march  several  hundred  miles  in  the  depth  of  winter, 
disregarded  the  intelligence.     No  regular  watch  was  kept,  nor 
military  order  observed. 

31.  The  French  and  Indians  arrived  near  the  town  on  the 
eighth  of  February.     They  divided  their  number  into  small 


70  NEW-YORK. 

parties,  that  every  hoase  might  be  invested  at  the  same  time. 
On  Saturday  night,  at  eleven  o'clock,  they  entered  at  the  gates 
which  they  found  unshut.  The  inhabitants  having  retired  to  rest, 
universal  stillness  reigned.  Suddenly,  in  every  quarter,  the  hor 
rid  yell  was  heard.  They  sprang  from  their  beds,  conscious  of 
the  danger  which  surrounded  them.  Opening  their  doors,  they 
met  the  savages,  with  uplifted  tomahawks,  on  the  threshold. 
Each,  at  the  same  instant,  heard  the  cry  of  his  affrighted  neigh 
bor.  Soon  succeeded  the  groans  of  the  dying.  In  a  few 
minutes,  the  buildings  were  on  fire.  Women  were  butchered, 
•and  children  thrown  alive  into  the  flames.  The  Indians,  frantic 
from  slaughter,'  ran,  with  fatal  haste,  through  the  village, 
massacreing  many,  who,  in  their  attempts  to  escape,  were  be 
trayed  by  the  light  of  their  own  houses. 

32.  Some  eluded  their  pursuers ;  but  a  fate  almost  as  dreadful 
awaited  them.     They  were  naked  ;  a  furious  storm  came  OR  { 
Albany,  their  only  refuge,  was  at  a  distance ;  and  often  their 
terror  converted  into  savages  the  trees  and  wild  beasts  which 
they  saw  in  their  flight.     Part  arrived  in  safety  ;  twenty-five  lost 
their  limbs  by  the  severity  of  the  cold.     At  Schenectady,  sixty 
were  killed,  and  twenty-five  made  prisoners. 

33.  To  avenge  these  "barbarities,  and  others  perpetrated  in 
New-England,  a  combined  expedition  against  Canada  was  pro 
jected.     An  army,  raised  in  New- York  and  Connecticut,  pro 
ceeded  as  far  as  the  head  of  lake  Champlain,  whence,  finding  no 
boats  prepared,   they  were  obliged   to  return.      Sir  William 
Phipps,  with  a  fleet  of  more  than  thirty  vessels,  sailed  from 
Boston  into  the  St.  Lawrence,  and,  landing  a  body  of  troops, 
made  an  attack  by  land  and  water  upon  Quebec  ;  but  the  return 
of  the  army  to  New- York,  allowing  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy 
to  repair  to  the  assistance  of  the  garrison,  he  was  obliged  to 
abandon  the  enterprise.     To  the  misconduct  or  incapacity  ol 
Leisler  and  MilWne,  the  failure  of  this  expedition  was  attri 
buted. 

34.  As  soon  as  king  William  could  find  leisure  to  attend  to 
his  colonies,  he  appointed  colonel  Henry  Sloughter  governor  of 
New- York.     Never  was  a  governor  more  necessary  to  the 
province,  and  never,  perhaps,  has  k  been  ruled  by  one  less 
qualified  for  the  station.     He  was  destitute  of  talents,  licentious, 
avaricious,  and  a  bankrupt. 

35.  Leisler,  when  informed  of  this  appointment,  ought  to 
nave  relinquished  the  authority  he  had  exercised  ;  but  he  was 
weak,  intoxicated  with  power,  and  determined   to  retain  it. 
Although  twice  required,  he  refused  to  surrender  the  fort ;  but 
sent  two  persons  to  confer  with  the  governor,  who,  declaring 


NEW-YORK.  71 

(hem  rebels,  arrested  and  confined  them.  Alarmed  by  this  mea 
sure,  Leisler  attempted  to  escape,  but  was  apprehended,  with 
many  of  his  adherents,  and  brought  to  trial. 

36.  In  vain  did  they  plead  their  zeal  for  king  William.    In  vain 
did  Leisler  insist  that  the  letter  from  England  authorized  him  to 
administer  the  government.    They  had  lately  resisted  a  governor 
with  a  regular  commission,  and  this  governor,  and  a  subservient 
court,  were  resolved  upon  their  conviction.     Leisler  and  Mil- 
borne  were  condemned  to  death  for  high  treason. 

37.  Soon    after    their     trial,  the  affairs  of  the  province  re 
quired  Sloughter's  presence  at  Albany.    The  faction  opposed  to 
them,  entreated  him,  before  his  departure,  to  sign  the  warrant 
for  their  execution ;  but  he,  unwilling  to  sacrifice  two  men,  who, 
though  they  had  sometimes  erred,  had  served  his  master  with 
zeal,  refused.    Unable  to  effect  their  purpose  by  persuasion,  they 
resorted  to  a  detestable  expedient.    A  sumptuous  feast  was  pre 
pared,  to  which  the  governor  was  invited.    When  he  had  drunk 
to  intoxication,  they  presented  him  the  warrant,  which  he  sign 
ed,  and  when  he  had  recovered  his  senses,  the  prisoners  were  no 
more. 

38.  On  application  to  the  king,  their  estates,  which  had  been 
confiscated,  were  restored  to  their  heirs.     Their  bodies  were  af 
terwards  taken  up  and  interred,  with  great  pomp,  in  the  old  Dutch 
church ;  and  their  descendants  are  considered  honored,  rather 
than  disgraced,  by  the  conduct  and  fall  of  their  ancestors. 

39.  In  July,  1691,  Sloughter,  having  returned  from  Albany, 
ended,  by  a  sudden  death,  a  short,  weak,  and  turbulent  adminis 
tration.    About  the  same  time,  major  Peter  Schuyler,  at  the  head 
of  three  hundred  Mohawks,  made  a  sudden  and  bold  attack  upon 
the  French  settlements,  at  the  north  end  of  Lake  Champlain. 
An  army  of  eight  hundred  men  was  despatched  from  Montreal 
to  oppose  him.      With  these  he  had  several  irregular,  but  suc 
cessful  conflicts ;  in  which  he  killed  a  number  of  the  enemy, 
greater  than  that  of  his  whole  party. 

40.  In  1692,  colonel  Fletcher  arrived  as  successor  to  Slough 
ter.   He  was  a  good  soldier,  was  active,  avaricious,  and  passionate. 
From  the  talents  and  information  of  major  Schuyler,  he  derived 
great  assistance,  and  was  governed  by  his  advice,  particularly  in 
transactions  relative  to  the  Indians. 

41.  As  a  great  portion  of  the  inhabitants  were  Dutch,  all  the 
governors,  to  produce  uniformity  in  religion  and  language,  had 
encouraged  English  preachers  and  school-masters  to  settle  in  the 
colony.  No  one  pursued  this  object  with  more  zeal  than  Fletcher, 
who  was  devoted  to  the  church  of  England.     At  two  successive 
sessions,  Ue  recommended  the  subrect  to  the  attention  of  the  as- 


72  NEW-YORK. 

sembly ;  but  the  members,  being  generally  attached  to  the  church 
of  Holland,  disregarded  his  recommendations.  For  this  neglect, 
he  gave  them  a  severe  reprimand. 

42.  The  subject  being  laid  before  them,  at  a  subsequent  ses 
sion,  they  passed  a  bill  providing  for  the  settlement,  in  certain 
parishes,  of  ministers  of  the  gospel,  to  be  chosen  by  the  people. 
The  council  added  an  amendment,  giving  to  the  governor  the 
power  of  approval  or  rejection.    The  house  refused  to  concur  in 
the  amendment,  at  which  Fletcher  wras  so  much  enraged,  that  he 
commanded  them  instantly  to  attend  him,  and,  addressing  them 
in  an  angry  speech,  prorogued  them  to  the  next  year. 

43.  In  1697,  a  peace,  which  gave  security  and  repose  to  the 
colonies,  was  concluded  between  Great  Britain  and  France. 
The  next  year,  the  earl  of  Bellamont  was  appointed  governor. 
He  was  particularly  instructed  to  clear  the  American  seas  of  the 
pirates  who  infested  them,  and  who,  it  was  suspected,  had  even 
received  encouragement  from  Fletcher. 

44.  The  government  declining  to  furnish  the  necessary  naval 
force,  the  earl  engaged,  with  others,  in  a  private  undertaking 
against  them.     The  associates,  procuring  a  vessel  of  war,  gave 
the  command  of  it  to  a  captain  Kid,  and  sent  him  to  cruise  against 
the  pirates.     He  had  been  but  a  short  time  at  sea,  when,  disre 
garding  his  instructions,  he  made  a  new  contract  with  his  crew, 
and,  on  the  Atlantic  and  Indian  Oceans,  became  himself  a  daring, 
atrocious,  and  successful  pirate. 

45.  Three  years  afterwards,  he  returned,  burned  his  ship,  and, 
with  a  strange  infatuation,  appeared  publicly  at  Boston.    Ke  was 
apprehended  and  sent  to  England,  wrhere  he  was  tried  and  exe 
cuted.     The  earl  and  his  partners,  some  of  whom  resided  in 
England,  were  accused  of  sharing  in  his  plunder,  but  in  all  his 
examinations  he  declared  them  innocent. 

46.  Notwithstanding  the  death  of  Leisler,  the  people  were  still 
divided  into  Leislerians  and  anti-Leislerians.    Fletcher  had  been 
trie  instrument  of  the  latter ;  Lord  Bellamont  espoused  the  cause 
of  the  former.     He,  however,  persecuted  no  one  ;  but  exercised 
authority  with  justice  and  moderation.     He  died  in  1701. 

47.  The  next  year,  Lord  Cornbury  was  appointed  governor. 
He  presented  a  striking  proof  of  the  folly  of  hereditary  distinc 
tions.     He  was  the  son  of  the  celebrated  earl  of  Clarendon  ;  but 
possessed  not  one  of  the  virtues  of  his  ancestor.     Mean,  profli 
gate,  and  unprincipled,  he  was  a  burden  to  his  friends  at  home, 
and  was  sent  to  America  to  be  beyond  the  reach  of  his  creditors. 

48.  He  declared  himself  an  anti-Leislerian,  and  the  first  as 
sembly  that  he  summoned  was  composed  principally  of  men  of 
ihnt  party.     They  presented  him  two  thousand  pounds  to  defray 


NEW-YORK.  73 

the  expenses  of  his  voyage.  They  raised  several  sums  of  money 
for  public  purposes,  but  the  expenditure  being  intrusted  to  him 
as  governor,  he  appropriated  most  of  it  to  his  own  use. 

49.  His  acts  of  injustice  and  oppression ;  his  prodigality ;  his 
indecent  and  vulgar  manners,  rendered  him  universally  odious. 
In  1708,  the  assemblies  of  New- York  and  of  New- Jersey,  of 
which  colony  he  was  also  governor,  complained  to  the  queen  of 
his  misconduct.     She  removed  him  from  office  ;  he  was  soon 
after  arrested  by  his  creditors,  and  remained  in  custody  until  the 
death  of  his  illustrious  father,  when  he  returned  to  England  and 
took  his  seat  in  the  house  of  lords. 

50.  A  proceeding  of  the  house  of  representatives,  near  the 
close  of  his  administration,  ought  not  to  be  passed  over"  without 
notice.  Wearied  by  their  sufferings,  they  appointed  a  committee 
of  grievances,  who  reported  a  series  of  resolutions  having  refer 
ence  to  recent  transactions,  which  resolutions  were  adopted  by 
the  house.    One  of  them,  in  explicit  language,  asserted  the  prin 
ciple,  "  that  the  imposing  and  levying  of  any  moneys  upon  her 
majesty's  subjects  of  this  colony,  under  any  pretence  or  color 
whatsoever,  without  consent  in  general  assembly,  is  a  grievance 
and  a  violation  of  the  people's  property."    It  is  not  uninstructivc 
to  observe  how  early,  in  some  of  the  colonies,  were  sown  the 
seeds  of  the  American  revolution. 

51.  In  1710,  general  Hunter,  who  had  been  appointed  gover 
nor,  arrived  in  the  province.     He  brought  with  him  near  three 
thousand  Germans,  some  of  whom  settled  in  New- York,  and 
some  in  Pennsylvania.     The  latter  transmitted  to  their  native 
land  such  favorable  accounts  of  the  country  which  they  had  chosen 
for  their  residence,  that  many  others  followed  and  settled  in  that 
colony.     The  numerous  descendants  of  these  Germans  are  ho 
nest,  industrious,  and  useful  citizens. 

52.  The  prodigality  of  Lord  Cornbury,  had  taught  the  assem- 
D\y  an  important  lesson.     Before  his  removal,  they  had  obtained 
from  the  queen  permission,  in  cases  of  special  appropriations  to 
appoint  their  own  treasurer.     They  now  passed  a  bill  confiding 
to  this  officer  the  disbursement  of  certain  sums  appropriated  for 
ordinary  purposes.   The  council  proposed  an  amendment.    The 
house  denied  the  right  of  that  body  to  amend  a  money  bill.   Both 
continuing  obstinate,  the  governor  prorogued  them,  and  at  their 
next  session  dissolved  them. 

53.  At  this  time,  war  existed  between  England  and  France. 
In  1709,  expensive  preparations  were  made  for  an  attack  upon 
Canada,  but  the  promised  assistance  not  arriving  from  England, 
the  enterprise  was  abandoned.     In  1711,  the  project  was  re 
sumed,     A  fleet  sailed  up  the  St.  Lawrence,  to  attack  Quebe>e.: 


74  NEW-YORK. 

and  an  army  of  four  thousand  men,  raised  by  New- York,  New- 
Jersey,  and  Connecticut,  marched  to  invade  Canada,  by  the  route 
of  Lake  Champlain.     The  fleet,  shattered  by  a  storm,  was  com 
pelled  to  return.      The  army,  informed  of  the  disasters  of  the 
fleet,  returned  also,  having  accomplished  nothing. 

54.  The  people,  approving  the  conduct  of  their  representatives 
in  relation  to  the  revenue,  had  re-elected  nearly  all  of  them,  and 
they  were  now  in  session.      To  defray  the  expenses  of  the*  late 
expedition,  they  passed  several  bills  which  were  amended  in  the 
council.      Between  these  two  bodies,  an  other  contest  ensued. 
The  representatives,  deriving  their  authority  from  the  people, 
considered  themselves  bound  to  watch  over  the  expenditure  of 
their  money.     The  council,  deriving  their  authority  from  the 
same  source  as  the  governor,  were  desirous  of  increasing  his  in 
fluence  by  giving  him  the  management  of  the  revenue.     During 
this,  and  a  subsequent  session,  both  continued'  inflexible.     The 
governor,  provoked  at  the  obstinacy  of  the  representatives,  dis 
solved  the  assembly. 

55.  At  the  ensuing  election,  which  was  warmly  contested,  most 
of  the  members  chosen,  were  opposed  to  the  governor.     This 
assembly  was  dissolved  by  the  death  of  the  queen.      The  next 
was  dissolved  by  the  governor,  soon  after  it  first  met,  a  majority 
of  the  representatives  being  known  to  be  unfriendly  to  his  views. 
The  people  became  weary  of  contending.      Most  of  the  mem 
bers  chosen  at  the  succeeding  election,  were  his  friends  and  par 
tisans,  and,  for  several  years,  the  utmost  harmony  existed  be 
tween  the  different  branches  of  the  government. 

56.  Governor  Hunter  quitted  the  province  in  1719,  and  his 
authority  devolved  on  Peter  Schuyler,  the  oldest  member  of  the 
council.     The  next  year,  William  Burnet,  son  of  the  celebrated 
bishop  of  that  name,  was  appointed  governor.     Turning  his  at 
tention  towards  the  wilderness,  he  perceived  that  the  French,  in 
order  to  connect  their  settlements  in  Canada  and  Louisiana,  to 
secure  to  themselves  the  Indian  trade,  and  to  confine  the  English 
to  the  sea  coast,  were  busily  employed  in  erecting  a  chain  of 
forts  from  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Mississippi. 

57.  He  endeavored  to  defeat  their  design,  by  building  a  trading 
house,  and  afterwards  a  fort,  at  Oswego,  on  Lake  Ontario.    But 
the  French  had  the  command  of  more  abundant  resources,  and 
applied  them  to  the  accomplishment  of  their  object,  with  great 
activity  and  zeal.     They  launched  two  vessels  upon  that  lake  ; 
and,  going  farther  into  the  wilderness,  erected  a  fort  at  Niagara, 
commanding  the  entrance  into  it ;  they  had  previously  erected 
fort  Frontenac,  commanding  the  outlet. 

PS.  Th*  assembly,  elected  in  17)  6.  had  been  so  obsequious 


NEW-YORK.  75 

to  the  governor,  that  he  continued  it  in  existence  until  the  clamors 
of  the  people  induced  him,  in  1727,  to  dissolve  it.  That  which 
next  met,  was  composed  entirely  of  his  opponents.  The  court 
of  chancery,  in  which  he  presided,  had  become  exceedingly  un 
popular.  It  had  been  instituted  by  an  ordinance  of  the  governor 
and  council,  without  the  concurrence  of  the  assembly ;  the  mode 
of  proceeding  was  novel ;  and  some  of  the  decisions  had  given 
great  offence  to  powerful  individuals.  The  house  passed  resolu 
tions  declaring  it  "  a  manifest  oppression  and  grievance,"  and 
intimating  that  its  decrees  were  void.  The  governor  instantly 
called  the  assembly  before  him,  and  dissolved  it. 

59.  Being  soon  after  appointed  governor  of  Massachusetts,  he 
was  succeeded  by  colonel  Montgomery,  upon  whose  death,  in 
1731,  the  supi^me  authority  devolved  upon  Rip  Van  Darn,  the 
senior  member  of  the  council.     Under  his  short  and  inefficient 
administration,  the  French  wrere  permitted  to  erect  a  fort  at 
Crown  Point,  within  the  acknowledged  boundaries  of  New- 
York,  from  which  parties  of  savages  were  often  secretly  des 
patched  to  destroy  the  English  settlements. 

60.  Van  Dam  was  superseded  by  William  Cosby,  who  ar 
rived  in  August,  1732.    Having  been  the  advocate,  in  parliament, 
of  the  American  colonies,  he  was  at  first  popular,  but  soon  lost 
the  affection  and  confidence  of  the  people.     By  his  instigation, 
one  Zenger,  the  printer  of  a  newspaper,  was  prosecuted   for 
publishing  an  article  declared  to  be  derogatory  to  the  dignity  of 
his  majesty's  government.     He  was  zealously  defended  by  able 
counsel,  and  an  independent  jury  gave  a  verdict  of  acquittal. 
The  people  applauded  their  conduct,  and  the  magistrates  of  the 
city  of  New-York  presented  to  Andrew  Hamilton,  one  of  his 
defenders,  the  freedom  of  the  city,  in  a  gold  box,  and  their 
thanks  for  "  his  learned  and  generous  defence  of  the  rights  of 
mankind,  and  the  liberty  of  the  press." 

61.  Governor  Cosby  died  in  1736,  and  was  succeeded  by 
George  Clark,  at  that  time  senior  counsellor,  but  soon  after  ap 
pointed  lieutenant-governor.     Again  was  revived  the  contest 
which  had  ended,  twenty  years  before,  in  the  victory  gained  by 
governor  Hunter,  over  the  house  of  representatives.    The  colony 
being  in  debt,  the  house  voted  to  raise  the  sum  of  six  thousand 
pounds  ;  but,  in  order  to  prevent  its  misapplication,  declared, 
that  it  should  be  applied  to  the  payment  of  certain  specified 
debts.     Offended  by  this  vote,  Clark  resorted  to  the  expedient 
which  had  usually  been  adopted  to  punish  or  intimidate  ;  he  im 
mediately  dissolved  the  assembly. 

62.  At  the  next  election,  great  exertions  were  made  by  the 
opposing  parties.     The  popular  party  was  triumphant.     At  the! r 


76  NEW-YORK 

second  session,  the  house  voted  an  address  to  the  lieu  tenant- 
governor,  which  is  worthy  of  particular  notice.  In  bold  and 
explicit  language,  they  state  some  of  the  vital  principles  of  free 
government,  refer  to  recent  misapplications  of  money,  and  pro 
ceed  ; 

63.  "  We  therefore  beg  leave  to  be  plain  with  your  honor, 
and  hope  you  will  not  take  it  amiss  when  we  tell  you,  that  you 
are  not  to  expect  that  we  will  either  raise  sums  unfit  to  be  raised, 
or  put  what  we  shall  raise,  into  the  power  of  a  govern&r  to  mis 
apply,  if  we  can  prevent  it ;  nor  shall  we  make  tip  any  other  de 
ficiencies  than  what  we  conceive  are  fit  and  just  to  be  paid ;  nor 
continue  what  support  or  revenue  we  shall  raise,  for  any  longer 
time  than  one  year ;  nor  do  we  think  it  convenient  to  do  even 
that,  until  such  laws  are  passed  as  we  conceive  necessary  for  the 
safety  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  colony,  who  have  reposed  a  trust 
in  us  for  that  only  purpose,  and  which  we  are  sure  you  will  think 
it  reasonable  we  should  act  agreeably  to  ;  and  by  the  grace  of 
God  we  shall  endeavor  not  to  deceive  them." 

64.  With  a  body  of  men,  so  resolute  in  asserting  their  rights, 
the  lieutenant-governor  wisely  forebore  to  contend.    He  thanked 
them  for  their  address,  and  promised  his  cordial  co-operation  in 
all  measures  calculated  to  promote  the  prosperity  of  the  colony. 
lie  gave  his  assent  to  a  law  providing  for  the  more  frequent 
election  of  representatives;  which  law,  however,  two  years  after 
wards,  was  abrogated  by  the  king. 

65.  But  between  a  house  of  representatives  and  a  chief  ma 
gistrate,  deriving  their  authority  from  different  sources,  harmony 
could  not  long  subsist.     Mr.  Clark,  in  his  speech  at  the  opening 
of  the  next  session,  declared  that  unless  the  revenue  was  granted 
for  as  long  a  time  as  it  had  been  granted  by  former  assemblies, 
his  duty  to  his  majesty  forbade  him  from  assenting  to  any  act 
for  continuing  the  excise,  or  for  paying  the  colonial  bills  of  credit. 
The  house  unanimously  resolved,  that  it  would  not  pass  any  bill 
for  the  grant  of  money,  unless  assurance  should  be  given  that  the 
excise  should  be  continued  and  the  bills  of  credit  redeemed. 

66.  The  lieutenant-governor  immediately  ordered  the  mem 
bers  to  attend  him.     He  told  them  that  "their  proceedings  were 
presumptuous,  daring,  and  unprecedented  ;  that  he  could'not  look 
upon  them  without  astonishment,  nor  with  honor  suffer  the  house 
to  sit  any  longer ;"  and  he  accordingly  dissolved  it.     Little  more 
than  a  year  had  elapsed,  since  the  members  were  chosen ;  but 
in  that  time  they  had,  by  their  firm  and  spirited  conduct,  in  sup 
port  of  the  rights  of  the  people,  merited  the  gratitude  of  their 
constituents. 

67.  About  this  time,  a  supposed  "  ne^ro  plot"  occasioned 


NEW-YORK.  77 

great  commotion  and  alarm  in  the  city  of  New- York.  The 
frequent  occurrence  of  fires,  most  of  which  were  evidently 
caused  by  design,  first  excited  the  jealousy  and  suspicion  of  the 
citizens.  Terrified  by  danger  which  lurked  unseen  in  the 
midst  of  them,  they  listened  with  eager  credulity  to  the  declara 
tion  of  some  abandoned  females,  that  the  negroes  had  combined 
to  burn  the  city  and  make  one  of  their  number  governor.  Many 
were  arrested  and  committed  to  prison.  Other  witnesses,  riot 
more  respectable  than  the  first,  came  forward ;  other  negroes 
were  accused,  and  even  several  white  men  were  designated  as 
concerned  in  the  plot. 

68.  When  the  time  of  trial  arrived,  so  strong  was  the  preju 
dice  against  the  miserable  negroes,  that  every  lawyer  in  the  city 
volunteered  against  them,     ignorant  and  unassisted,  nearly  all 
who  were  tried  were  condemned.     Fourteen  were  sentenced  to 
be  burned,  eighteen  to  be  hung,  seventy-one  to  be  transported, 
and  all  these  sentences  were  executed.    Of  the  whites  two  were 
convicted  and  suffered  death. 

69.  All  apprehension  of  danger  having  subsided,  many  began 
to  doubt  whether  any  plot  had  in  fact  been  concerted.     None  of 
the  witnesses  were  persons  of  credit,  their  stories  were  extrava 
gant  and  often  contradictory  ;  and  the  project  was  such  as  none 
but  fools  or  madmen  would  form.     The  two  white  men  were 
respectable  ;  one  had  received  a  liberal  education,  but  he  was  a 
catholic,  and  the  prejudice  against  catholics  was  too  violent  to 
permit  the  free  exercise  of  reason.     Some  of  the  accused  were 
doubtless  guilty  of  setting  fire  to  the  city  ;  but  the  proof  of  the 
alleged  plot  was  not  sufficiently  clear  to  justify  the  numerous 
and  cruel  punishments  that  were  inflicted. 

70.  In  April,  1740,  the  assembly  again  met.     It  had  now 
I'isen  to  importance  in  the  colony.     The  adherence  of  the  re 
presentatives  to  their  determination,  not  to  grant  the  revenue  for 
more  than  one  year,  made  annual  meetings  of  the  assembly  ne 
cessary.    This  attachment  to  liberty  was  mistaken  for  the  desire 
of  independence.     Lieutenant-governor  Clark,  in  a  speech  de 
livered  in  1741,  alludes  to  "  a  jealousy  which  for  some  years 
had  obtained  in  England,  that  the  plantations  were  not  without 
thoughts  of  throwing  off  their  dependence  on  the  crown." 

71.  In  1743,  George  Clinton  was  sent  over  as  Governor  of 
the  colony.     Like  most  of  his  predecessors  he  was  welcomed 
with  joy;  and  one  of  his  earliest  measures  confirmed  the  favorable 
accounts,  which  had  preceded  him,  of  his  talents  and  liberality. 
To  show  his  willingness  to  repose  confidence  in  the  people,  he 
assented  to  a  bill  limiting  the  duration  of  the  present  and  all  suc 
ceeding  assemblies.     The  house  manifested  its  gratitude  by 


78  NEW-JERSEY. 

adopting  the  measures  he  recommended  for  the  defence  of  the 
province  against  the  French,  who  were  then  at  war  with  Eng 
land. 

72.  In  1745,  the  savages  i&  alliance  with  France  made  fre 
quent  invasions  of  the  English  territories.     The  inhabitants  were 
compelled   to  desert  Hosick  ;     Saratoga  was  destroyed ;    the 
western  settlements  in  New-England  were  often  attacked  and 
plundered.     Encouraged  by  success,  the  enemy  became  more 
daring,  and  small  parties  ventured  within  the  suburbs  of  Albany, 
and  there  lay  in  wait  for  prisoners.     It  is  even  said  that  one 
Indian,  called  Tomonwilemon,,  often  entered  the  city  and  suc 
ceeded  in  taking  captives. 

73.  Distressed  by  these  incursions,  the  assembly,  in  1746, 
determined  to  unite  with  the  other  colonies  and  the  mother 
country  in  an  expedition  against  Canada.     They  appropriated 
money  4o  purchase  provisions  for  the  army,  and  offered  liberal 
bounties  to  recruits.     But  the  fleet  from  England  did  not  arrive 
at  the  appointed  time  :  the  other  colonies  were  dilatory  in  their 
preparations,  and  before  they  were  completed,  the  season  fof 
military  operations  had  passed  away. 

74.  Early  in  the  next  year,  a  treaty  was  concluded,  and  thff 
inhabitants  were,  for  a  short  period,  relieved  from  the  burdens 
and  distresses  of  war.     During  the  interval  of  peace,  no  event 
of  importance  happened  in  the  colony.     Upon  the  recurrence, 
a  few  years  afterwards,  of  hostilities,  its  territory  was  the  theatre 
of  sanguinary  conflicts.     But  of  that  war,  in  which  all  the  colo 
nies  acted  in  concert,  a  connected  history  will  be  hereafter  givens 


CHAPTER  TIL 

NEW-JERSEY. 


THE  first  settlement  within  the  limits  of  New-Jersey  wa3 
made  by  the  Danes,  about  the  year  1624,  at  a  place  called  Ber 
gen,  from  a  city  of  that  name  in  Norway.  Soon  afterwards, 
several  Dutch  families  seated  themselves  in  the  vicinity  of  New- 
York.  In  1626,  a  company  was  formed  in  Sweden,  under  the 
patronage  of  king  Gustavus  Adolphus,  for  the  purpose  of  planting 
a  colony  in  America.  The  next  year,  a  number  of  Swedes  and 


NEW-JERSEY.  79 

Finns  came  over,  purchased  of  the  natives  the  land  on  both  sides 
of  the  river  Delaware,  but  made  their  first  settlement  on  its  west- 
«rn  bank,  near  Christina  creek. 

2.  About  the  year  1640,  the  English  began  a  plantation  at 
Elsingburgh,  on  its  eastern  bank.     The  Swedes,  in  concert  with 
the  Dutch  who  then  possessed  New- York,  drove  them  out  of  the 
country.     The  former  built  a  fort  on  the  spot  whence  the  Eng 
lish  had  been  driven ;  and,  gaining  thus  the  command  of  the  river, 
claimed  and  exercised  authority  over  all  vessels  that  entered  it, 
even  those  of  the  Dutch,  their  late  associates. 

3.  They  continued  in  possession  of  the  country,  on  both  sides 
of  the  Delaware,  until  1655,  when  Peter  Stuyvesant,  governor 
of  the  New-Netherlands,  having  obtained  assistance  from  Hol 
land,  conquered  all  their  posts  and  transported  most  of  the  Swedes 
to  Europe.    The  Dutch  were  now  in  possession  of  the  territory 
comprising,  at  this  time,  the  states  of  New-Jersey,  New- York, 
and  Delaware. 

4.  Soon,  however,  this  territory  changed  masters.      King 
Charles  the  second,  having  granted  it  to  the  duke  of  York,  sent 
an  armament,  in  1664,  to  wrest  it  from  the  Dutch.      After  re 
ducing  New- York,  the  squadron  proceeded  to  the  settlements  on 
the  Delaware,  which  immediately  submitted.    In  the  same  year, 
the  duke  conveyed  that  portion  of  his  grant,  lying  between  Hud 
son  and  Delaware  rivers,  to  lord  Berkeley  and  sir  George  Car- 
teret.     This  tract  was  called  New- Jersey,  in  compliment  to  sir 
George,  who  had  beer  governor  of  the  island  of  Jersey,  and  had 
held  it  for  king  Charles  in  his  contest  with  the  parliament. 

5.  The  two  proprietors  formed  a  constitution  for  the  colony, 
securing  equal  privileges  and  liberty  of  conscience  to  all,  and  ap 
pointed  Philip  Carteret  governor.    He  came  over  in  1665,  fixed 
the  seat  of  government  at  Elizabethtown,  purchased  land  of  the 
Indians,  and  sent  agents  into  New-England  to  invite  settlers  from 
that  quarter.     The  terms  offered  were  so  favorable  that  many 
accepted  the  invitation. 

6.  A  few  years  afterwards,  the  repose  of  the  colony  began  to 
be  disturbed  by  domestic  disputes.     Some  of  the  inhabitants, 
having  purchased  their  lands  of  the  Indians  previous  to  the  con 
veyance  from  the  duke,  refused  to  pay  rent  to  the  proprietors. 
Others  were  discontented  from  different  causes.     In  1672,  an 
insurrection  took  place,  the  people  assumed  the  government,  and 
chose  James  Carteret,  the  son  of  Philip,  their  governor.     The 
father  returned  to  England,  and  obtained  from  the  proprietors 
such  favorable  concessions  and  promises  as  quieted  Che  people, 
and  induced  them  again  to  submit  to  his  authority. 

7.  Lord  Berkeley  disposed  of  his  property,  rights,  and  privi- 


80  NEW-JERSEY. 

leges  in  the  territory,  to  Edward  Billmge ;  and  he,  being  involved 
in  debt,  consented  that  they  should  be  sold  for  the  benefit  of  his 
creditors.  WILLIAM  PENN,  Gawen  Lowrie,  and  Nicholas  Lu 
cas,  were  appointed  trustees  for  that  purpose.  In  1676,  the 
trustees  and  sir  George  Carteret  made  partition  of  the  territory, 
they  taking  the  western  and  he  the  eastern  portion. 

8.  West  Jersey  was  then  divided  into  one  hundred  shares, 
which  were  separately  sold.     Some  of  the  purchasers  emigrated 
to  the  country,  and  all  made  great  exertions  to  promote  its  popu 
lation.     Possessing  the  powers  of  government,  as  well  as  the 
right  of  soil,  they  formed  a  constitution,  in  which,  for  the  encou 
ragement  of  emigrants,  they  secured  to  them  ample  privileges. 

9.  But  previous  to  the  transfer  from  Berkeley  to  Billinge,  the 
Dutch,  being  at  wrar  with  England,  reconquered  the  country,  and 
retained  it,  until  1674,  when  it  \vas  restored  by  treaty.     A  new 
patent  was  then  granted  to  the  duke,  including  the  same  territory 
as  the  former.     In  1678,  sir  Edmund  Andross,  who  had  been 
appointed  his  sole  governor  in  America,  claimed  jurisdiction  over 
the  Jerseys,  insisting  that  the  conquest  by  the  Dutch  divested  the 
proprietors  of  all  their  rights. 

10.  He  forcibly  seized,  transported  to  New- York,  and  there 
imprisoned  those  magistrates  who  refused  to  acknowledge  his 
authority.      He  imposed  a  duty  upon  all  goods  imported,  a:id 
upon  the  property  of  all  who  came  to  settle  in  the  country.     Of 
this  injustice  the  inhabitants  loudly  complained  to  the  duke ;  and 
at  length  their  repeated  remonstrances  constrained  him  to  refer 
the  matter  to  commissioners. 

1 1 .  Before  them  the  proprietors  appeared.    In  strong  language 
they  asserted,  and  by  strong  arguments  supported,  their  claim  to 
the  privileges  of  freemen.     They  represented,  that  the  king  had 
granted  to  the  duke  the  right  of  government  as  well  as  the  right 
of  soil ;  that  the  duke  had  transferred  the  same  rights  to  Berkeley 
and  Carteret,  and  they  to  the  present  proprietors. 

12.  "  That  only,"  they  added,  "  could  have  induced  us  to  pur 
chase  lands  and  emigrate.     And  the  reason  is  plain  :  to  all  pru 
dent  men,  the  government  of  any  place  is  more  inviting  than  the 
soil ;  for  what  is  good  land  without  good  laws  I   What  but  an  as 
surance  that  we  should  enjoy  civil  and  religious  privileges,  could 
have  tempted  us  to  leave  a  cultivated  country  and  resort  to  a 
gloomy  wilderness  ?  What  have  we  gained,  if,  after  adventuring 
in  this  wilderness  many  thousands  of  pounds,  we  are  yet  to  be 
taxed  at  the  mere  will  and  pleasure  of  another  ?»  What  is  it  but 
to  say,  that  people,  free  by  law  under  their  prince  at  home,  are 
at  his  mercy  in  his  plantations  abroad  ? 

13.  "  We  humbly  say,  that  we  have  lost  none  of  our  liberty  by 


NEW-JERSEY.  81 

leaving  our  country ;  that  the  duty  imposed  upon  us  is  without 
precedent  or  parallel ;  that,  had  we  foreseen  it,  we  should  have 
preferred  any  other  plantation  in  America.  Besides,  there  is  no 
limit  to  this  power ;  since  we  are,  by  this  precedent,  taxed  with 
out  any  law,  and  thereby  excluded  from  our  English  right  of 
assenting  to  taxes  ;  what  security  have  we  of  any  thing  we  pos 
sess  ?  We  can  call  nothing  our  ow n,  but  are  tenants  at  will,  not 
.only  for  the  soil,  but  for  our  personal  estates.  Such  conduct  has 
destroyed  governments,  but  never  raised  one  to  any  true  great 
ness." 

14.  The  commissioners  adjudged  the  duties  illegal  and  oppres 
sive,  and  they  were  not  afterwards  demanded.     Emigrants  con 
tinued  to  arrive  and  the  country  to  prosper.    In  1681,  the  gover 
nor  of  West  Jersey  summoned  a  general  assembly,  by  which 
several  fundamental  laws  were  enacted,  establishing  the  rights  of 
the  people,  and  defining  the  powers  of  rulers. 

15.  In  1682,  the  territory  of  East  Jersey  passed  from  Carteret 
o  William  Penn,  and  twenty-three  associates,  mostly  of  the 

Quaker  persuasion.  They  appointed  Robert  Barclay,  author  of 
the  "  Apology  for  the  Quakers,"  governor  over  it  for  life.  The 
multitude  of  proprietors,  and  the  frequent  transfers  and  subdi 
visions  of  shares,  introduced  such  confusion  in  titles  to  land,  and 
such  uncertainty  as  to  the  rights  of  government,  that,  for  twenty 
years  afterwards,  both  Jerseys  were  in  a  state  of  continued  dis 
turbance  and  disorder.  In  1702,  the  proprietors,  weary  ol 
contending  with  each  other,  and  with  the  people,  surrendered 
the  right  of  government  to  the  crown.  Queen  Anne  reunited 
the  two  divisions,  and  appointed  lord  Cornbury  governor  over 
the  provinces  of  New- Jersey  and  New- York. 

16.  These  provinces  continued,  for  several  years,  to  be  ruled 
by  the  same  governor,  but  each  chose  a  separate  assembly.     In 
1738,  the  inhabitants,  by  petition  to  the  king,  desired  that  they 
might,  in  future,  have  a  separate  governor.      Their  request  was 
granted,  Lewis  Morris  being  the  first  that  was  appointed. 

17.  In  the  same  year,  a  college  was  founded  at  Princeton  and 
called  Nassau  Hall,     New-Jersey  then  contained  above  forty 
thousand  inhabitants.     Being  remote  from  Canada,  the  source 
of  most  of  the  Indian  wars  which  afflicted  the  northern  colonies, 
it  enjoyed  a  complete  exemption  from  that  terrible  calamity,  and 
until  the  commencement  of  the  revolution,  furnished  no  mate 
rials  for  history. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 
DELAWARE, 


THIS  colony  was  first  settled  by  a  company  of  Swedes  and 
Finns,  under  the  patronage  of  king  Gustavus  Adolphus.  They 
came  over  in  1627,  and  landing  at  cape  Henlopen,  were  so 
charmed  with  its  appearance,  that  they  gave  it  the  name  of  Pa 
radise  Point.  The  country  they  called  New  Sweden,  and  the 
river  Delaware,  New  Swedeland  Stream.  They  purchased  of 
the  Indians  the  lands  on  both  sides  of  that  river,  from  the  sea  to 
the  falls,  and  seated  themselves  at  the  mouth  of  Christina  creek, 
near  Wilmington. 

2.  Being  frequently  molested  by  the  Dutch,  who  claimed  a 
right  to  the  country,  they,  for  their  protection,  built  forts  at 
Christina,  Lewistown,  and  Tinicum.     The  last  was  their  seat 
of  government,  and  there  John  Printz,  their  governor,  erected 
an  elegant  mansion  which  he  named  Printz  Hall. 

3.  In  1651,  the  Dutch  built  a  fort  at  New-Castle.     Printz, 
considering  this  place  to  be  within  the  Swedish  territories,  for 
mally  protested  against  the  proceeding.    Risingh,  his  successor, 
made  a  visit,  under  the  guise  of  friendship,  to  the  commander  of 
the  fort,  and,  being  accompanied  by  thirty  men,  treacherously 
took  possession  of  it,  while  enjoying  his  hospitality. 

4.  Peter  Stuyvesant,  the  Dutch  governor  of  New- York,  wag 
not  of  a  temper  to  permit  an  injury  thus  committed,  to  pass  un 
avenged.     Accompanied  by  an  armament,  a  part  of  which  was 
furnished  for  the  occasion  by  the  city  of  Amsterdam,  in  Holland, 
lie,  in  1655,  returned  the  visit  of  the  Swedes.     He  first  re 
duced  the  fort  at  New-Castle  ;  then  that  at  Christina  creek, 
where  Risingh  commanded  ;  and  afterwards  the  others.     Some 
of  the  Swedes,  on  taking  the  oath  of  allegiance  to  Holland,  were 
permitted  to  remain  ;  the  rest  were  sent  to  Europe. 

5.  The  settlements  on  the  Delaware  continued  under  the 
control  of  the  Dutch,  until"  1664,  when  the  New-Netherlands 
were  conquered  by  the  English.     They  were  then  cor*sidered 
as  a  part  of  New-York.     In  1682,  William  Penn  purchased  of 
the  duke  of  York,  the  town  of  New-Castle,  and  the  country 
twelve  miles  around  it ;  and,  by  a  subsequent  purchase,  obtained 
the  land  lying  upon  the  Delaware,  and  between  New-Castle  and 
cape  Henlopen.     These  tracts,  which  constitute  the  present 


PENNSYLVANIA, 

state  of  Delaware,  were  called  the  "  Territories," 
twenty  years,  governed  as  a  part  of  Pennsylvania. 

6.  They  were  divided  into  three  counties,  New-Castle,  Kent, 
and  Sussex,  each  of  which  sent  six  delegates  to  the  general  as 
sembly.     In  1703,  these  delegates,  dissatisfied  with  the  last 
charter  which  Penn  had  prepared,  and  a  majority  of  the  assem 
bly  had  adopted,  seceded,  and,  liberty  being  given,  formed  a 
separate  and  distinct  assembly.     The  two  portions  of  the  pro 
vince  were  never  afterwards  united,  but  the  proprietor  continued 
to  possess  the  same  jurisdiction,  and  the  same  person  uniformly 
acted  as  governor  over  both. 

7.  Sheltered  by  the  surrounding  provinces,  Delaware  enjoyed 
an  entire  exemption  from  wars,  except  those  in  which,  as  a  part 
of  the  British  empire,  she  was  obliged  to  participate.     In  the 
war  with  France,  which  terminated  in  1763,  she  was  second  to 
none  in  active  zeal  to  assist  the  parent  state.    In  the  revolution 
ary  war,  the  Delaware  regiment  was  considered  the  most  ef 
ficient  in  the  continental  army. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 


WILLIAM  PENN,  the  founder  of  Pennsylvania,  was  the 
son  of  Sir  William  Penn,  an  admiral  in  the  British  navy.  In 
his  youth,  he  joined  the  quakers,  then  an  obscure  and  persecuted 
sect.  While  superintending  the  settlement  of  New-Jersey,  he 
became  acquainted  with  an  extensive  tract  of  fertile,  unoc 
cupied  land  lying  between  the  territories  of  the  duke  of  York 
and  lord  Baltimore.  At  his  solicitation,  and  in  recompense 
for  unrequited  services  which  his  father  had  rendered  the  nation, 

is  tract  was,  in  1681,  granted  to  him  in  full  property,  and  by 
the  king  called  Pennsylvania. 

2.  Desirous  of  selling  his  lands  and  founding  a  colony,  he,  in 
a  public  advertisement,  described  the  country,  and  set  forth  the 
advantages  which  it  offered  to  emigrants.  Many  persons,  chief 
ly  quakers,  were  induced  to  purchase.  The  fee  simple  of  the 
soil  was  sold  at  the  rate  of  twenty  pounds  for  every  thousand 
trci-es  ;  and  they  who  rented  lands,  agreed  to  pay  one  penny 


84  PENNSYLVANIA, 

yearly  per  acre.  Before  the  emigrants  embarked,  certain  "  con  - 
ditions  and  concessions"  were  by  them  and  the  proprietor  agreed 
upon  and  subscribed. 

3.  In  the  fall,  three  ships,  carrying  settlers,  sailed  for  Penn 
sylvania.     The  pious  and  philanthropic  proprietor  sent  a  letter 
to  the  Indians,  informing  them  that  "  the  great  God  had  been 
pleased  to  make  him  concerned  in  their  part  of  the  world,  and 
that  the  king  of  the  country  where  he  lived,  had  given  him  a 
great  province  therein ;  but  that  he  did  not  desire  to  enjoy  it 
without  their  consent ;  that  he  was  a  man  of  peace  ;  and  that 
the  people  whom  he  sent  were  of  the  same  disposition;  and  ii* 
any  difference  should  happen  between  them,  it  might  be  adjusted 
by  an  equal  number  of  men  chosen  on  both  sides."     The  posi 
tion  selected  by  these  emigrants  for  a  settlement  was  above  the 
confluence  of  the  Delaware  and  the  Schuylkill. 

4.  In  April,  1682,  Penn  published  a  Frame  of  Government, 
the  chief  object  of  which  was  declared  to  be  "  to  support  power 
in  reverence  with  the  people,  and  to  secure  the  people  from  the 
abuse  of  power."     He  published  also  a  Body  of  Laws,  which 
had  been  examined  and  approved  by  the  emigrants  in  England  ; 
and  which,  says  an  eminent  historian,  "  does  great  honor  to 
their  wisdom  as  statesmen,  to  their  morals  as  men,  and  to  their 
spirit  as  colonists."     From  the  duke  of  York,  he  obtained  the 
relinquishment  of  a  tract  of  land,  lying  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Delaware,  a  part  of  which  was  already  settled,  and  in  August, 
accompanied  by  about  two  thousand  emigrants,  set  sail  for 
America. 

5.  He  landed  first  at  New-Castle,  which  was  a  part  of  the 
"  Territories,"  as  the  land  conveyed  to  him  by  the  duke  was 
called.     Upon  this  tract  he  found  about  three  thousand  Dutch, 
Swedes,  and  Finns.    He  proceeded  to  Chester,  where  he  called 
an  assembly  on  the  fourth  of  December.     This  assembly  an 
nexed  the  Territories  to  the  province,  adopted  the  frame  of  Go 
vernment,  and  enacted  in  form  the  Body  of  Laws.     Penn  also 
made  a  treaty  with  the  Indians,  from  whom  he  purchased  as 
much  land  as  the  circumstances  of  the  colony  required.    He  se 
lected  the  site,  and  marked  out  the  plan,  of  an  extensive  city,  to 
which  he  gave  the  name  of  Philadelphia,  or  the  city  of  love. 
Before  the  end  of  the  year,  it  contained  eighty  houses  and  cot 
tages. 

6.  The  settlement  of  none  of  the  colonies  commenced  under 
such  favorable  auspices  as  that  of  Pennsylvania.     The  experi 
ence  of  half  a  century  had  disclosed  the  evils  to  be  avoided,  and 
pointed  out  the  course  to  be  pursued.     The  Indians,  having  been 
already  taught  to  fear  the  power  of  the  whites,  were  the  wore 


PENNSYLVANIA.  85 

easily  conciliated  by  their  kindness.  The  soil  being  fertile,  the 
climate  temperate,  and  the  game  abundant,  the  first  emigrants 
escaped  most  of  the  calamities  which  afflicted  the  more  northern 
and  southern  provinces.  The  increase  of  population  exceeded, 
of  course,  all  former  example. 

7.  In  the  new  city,  a  second  assembly  was  held  in  March, 
1683.     At  the  request  of  the  freemen  and  delegates,  Penn  gran 
ted  them  a  second  charter,  which  diminished  the  number  of  the 
council  and  assembly,  and  was,  in  other  respects,  different  from 
the  first.     Some  of  the  regulations,  at  that  time  adopted,  bear  the 
impress  of  the  proprietor's  singular  genius,  and  benevolent  dis 
position. 

8.  It  was  ordained  "  that,  to  prevent  lawsuits,  three  arbitra 
tors,  to  be  called  peace  makers,  should  be  chosen  by  the  county 
courts,  to  hear  and  determine  small  differences  between  man  and 
man :  That  children  should  be  taught  some  useful  trade,  to  the 
end  that  none  might  be  idle,  that  the  poor  might  work  to  live, 
and  the  rich  if  they  should  become  poor :  That  factors,  wronging 
their  employers,  should  make  satisfaction  and  one  third  over  : 
That  every  thing,  which  excites  the  people  to  rudeness,  cruelty, 
and  irreligion,  should  be  discouraged  and  severely  punished  : 
That  no  one,  acknowledging  one  God  and  living  peaceably  in 
society,  should  be  molested  for  his  opinions  or  his  practice,  or 
compelled  to  frequent  or  maintain  any  ministry  whatever." 

9.  These  judicious  regulations  attracted  numerous  emigrants  ; 
and  to  their  salutary  influence  must  be  attributed  the  qualities  of 
diligence,  order,  and  economy  for  which  the  Pennsylvanians  are 
so  justly  celebrated.     Within  four  years  from  the  date  of  the 
prant  to  Perm,  the  province  contained  twenty  settlements,  and 
Philadelphia  t\vo  thousand  inhabitants. 

10.  In  1684,  the  proprietor  returned  to  England.     He  left 
his  province  in  profound  tranquillity,  under  the  administration 
of  five  commissioners  chosen  from  the  council.     The  unfortu 
nate  Jarnes  the  second  soon  after  ascended  the  throne.     "  As 
ho  has,"  said  Penn,  "  been  my  friend,  and  my  father's  friend,  I 
feel  bound  in  justice  to  be  a  friend  to  him."     He  adhered  to 
him  while  seated  on  the  throne,  and  for  two  years  after  he  was 
expelled  from  his  kingdom,  the  government  of  the  province  was 
administered  in  his  name. 

11.  By  this  display  of  attachment  to  the  exiled  monarch,  he 
incurred  the  displeasure  of  king  William.     On  vague  suspicion, 
and  unfounded  charges,  he  was  four  times  imprisoned.     Tho 
government  of  his  colony  was  taken  from  him,  and  given  to  Col. 
Fletcher,  the  governor  of  New-York.      But  by  the  severest 
scrutiny,  it  was  rendered  nppamit,  that,  he  hod,  in  nil  his  POJ> 

n 


S6  PENNSYLVANIA. 

duct,  been  actuated  as  much  by  the  love  of  his  country  as  oy 
personal  gratitude.  He  regained  the  good  opinion  of  king 
William ;  and,  being  permitted  to  resume  and  exercise  his  rights, 
appointed  William  Markham  to  be  his  deputy  governor. 

12.  In  1699,  he  again  visited  Pennsylvania,  and  found  the 
people  discontented.      They  complained  that  his  powers  and 
their  rights  were  not  defined  with  sufficient  precision,  and  de 
manded  a  new  charter.     In  1701,  he  prepared  and  presented 
one  to  the  assembly,  which  was  accepted.     It  gave  to  the  as 
sembly  the  right  of  originating  bills,  which,  by  the  previous 
charters,  was  the  right  of  the  governor  alone,  and  -of  amending 
or  rejecting  those  which  might  be  laid  before  them.    To  the  go* 
vernor  it  gave  the  right  of  rejecting  bills  passed  by  the  assem 
bly,  of  appointing  his  owr  council,  and  of  exercising  the  whole 
executive  power.     The  Territories,  now  the  state  of  Delaware, 
refusing  to  accept  the  new  charter,  separated  from  Pennsylvania, 
and  were  allowed  a  distinct  assembly.     The  same  governor, 
however,  presided  over  both. 

13.  Immediately  after  his  third  charter  was  accepted,  Penn 
returned  to  England,  and  the  executive  authority  was  afterwards 
administered  by  deputy  governors  appointed  by  the  proprietor. 
The  people  incessantly  murmured  and  complained  ;  but  the  un 
interrupted  and  unparalleled  prosperity  of  the  colony  demon 
strates,  that  but  slight  causes  of  complaint  existed.    That  which 
produced  the  greatest  and  most  constant  irritation  was  the  re 
fusal,  by  the  deputy  governors,  to  assent  to  any  law  imposing- 
taxes  on  the  lands  of  the  proprietors,  although  the  sum  raised 
was  to  be  expended  for  the  benefit  of  the  whole  province.    This 
unwise,  and  indeed  unjust,  claim  of  exemption,  occasioned  great 
er  disgust  than  injury,  and  embittered  all  the  enjoyments  of  the 
inhabitants. 

14.  But  these  dissentions  did  not,  in  the  least,  retard  the  pros 
perity  of  the  colony.     Nor  did  any  other  cause,  having  that  ten 
dency,  exist.     The  upright  conduct  of  Penn,  in  his  intercourse 
with  the  Indians,  was  imitated  by  those  who  came  after  him  ; 
and,  for  seventy  years,  uninterrupted  harmony  existed  between 
them  and  the  whites.     In  the  early  part  of  the  revolutionary 
war,  the  people  adopted  a  new  constitution,  by  which  the  pro 
prietor  was  excluded  from  all  share  in  the  government.     He 
was  offered,  and  finally  accepted,  the  sum  of  570,000  dollars,  in 
discharge  of  all  quit-rents  due  from  the  inhabitants. 


CHAPTER  X. 
MARYLAND. 


DURING  the  reign  of  James  the  first,  the  laws  against 
Homan  Catholics  were  severe  and  the  popular  hatred  was  inve 
terate.  Lord  Baltimore,  a  distinguished  member  of  that  sect, 
resolved,  in  consequence,  to  remove  from  England  to  Virginia, 
believing  that  he  might  there  enjoy  his  religious  opinions,  with 
out  violating  the  laws  or  incurring  reproach.  But  the  people 
among  whom  he  came  to  reside,  were  almost  as  intolerant  as 
those  he  had  left,  and  he  soon  found  it  necessary  to  seek  some 
other  asylum. 

2.  Having  ascertained  that   the  territory  on  both  sides  of 
Chesapeake  bay,  was  inhabited  only  by  the  natives,  he  conceived 
the  project  of  planting  there  a  colony  for  himself,  and  for  all 
who  might  wish  to  retire  from  religious  persecution.     He  ex 
plored  the  country,  returned  to  England,  obtained  the  assent  of 
king  Charles  the  first  to  a  grant  of  territory,  but  died  before  the 
requisite  formalities  were  completed. 

3.  Cecil,  his  eldest  son,  and  heir  to  his  estate  and  title,  ob 
tained  for  himself  the  grant  intended  for  his  father.     To  the 
new   colony  the  name  of  Maryland  was  given,  in  honor  of 
Henrietta  Maria,  the  royal  consort  of  Charles.     The  land  con 
veyed  being  within  the  boundaries  of  Virginia,  the  planters  in 
that  province  remonstrated  against  the  grant.   The  king  refusing 
to  rescind  it,  lord   Baltimore  made  preparations  to  commence 
a  settlement.     He   appointed    his  brother,   Leonard    Calvert, 
governor;  who,  near  the  close  of  the  year  1633,  sailed  for 
America,  accompanied  by  about  two  hundred  emigrants,  mostly 
Roman  Catholics. 

4.  They  arrived  in  February,  1634,  at  the  mouth  of  the  river 
Potomac.     At  a  conference  with  the  Indians  who  dwelt  on  the 
slioi-e,  they  purchased  Yoamaco,  a  considerable  village,  the  site 
of  which  St.  Mary's  now  occupies.     By  this  measure,  wise  as 
well  as  just,  the  rightful  proprietors  of  the  soil  were  satisfied, 
convenient  habitations  and  some  cultivated  land  were  obtained, 
and  the  first  settlers  were  of  course  exempted  from  the  miseries 
of  famine,  and  from  the  diseases  which  it  produces. 

5.  Other  circumstances  favored  the  rapid  population  of  the 
colony.     The  charter  granted  more  ample  privileges  than  had 


83  MARYLAND. 

ever  been  conceded  to  a  subject ;  the  country  was  inviting ;  the 
natives  were  friendly ;  from  the  south  churchmen  drove  puritans, 
from  the  north  puritans  drove  churchmen,  into  her  borders, 
where  all  were  freely  received,  protected,  and  cherished. 

6.  The  charter  granted  to  the  inhabitants  the  privilege  of 
passing  laws  either  by  themselves  or  representatives,  without 
reserving  to  the  crown,  as  had  been  done  in  all  previous  charters, 
the  right  to  reject  the  laws  so  passed.     At  first,  when  the  freemen 
were  few  in  number,  each  attended  in  person,  or  authorized 
some  other  freeman,  who  chose  to  attend,  to  vote  and  act  in  his 
stead.     The  increase  of  population  soon  rendered  it  necessary  to 
adopt  a  different  mode  of  legislation.     In  1639,  an  act  was 
passed,  constituting  a  "  house  of  assembly,"  to  be  composed  of 
such  as  should  be  chosen  by  the  people,   of  such  as  should  be 
summoned  or  appointed  by  the  proprietor,  and  of  the  governor 
and  secretary.     These  were  to  sit  together,  and  the  laws  which 
they  should  enact  were  to  possess  the  same  validity,  as  though 
the  proprietors  and  all  the  people  had  concurred  in  enacting 
them. 

7.  In  1650,  a  second  alteration  was  made.     The  legislative 
body  was  divided  into  two  branches,  the  delegates  chosen  by  the 
people  constituting  the  lower  house,  and  the  persons  summoned 
by  the  proprietors,  the  upper  house.     It  ought  to  be  stated,  for 
the  honor  of  lord  Baltimore  and  his  associates,  that,  while  the 
catholics  retained  the  ascendency  in  the  province,  the  assembly 
passed  no  law  abridging  the  liberty  of  conscience. 

8.  But  this  colony,  as  well  as  all  the  others,   in  the  early 
period  of  their  existence,  was  afflicted  with  intestine  troubles. 
They  were  principally  caused   by    one   William    Clayborne. 
While  a  member  of  the  Virginia  council  he  had  obtained  a 
license  from  the  king,  to  traffic  in  those  parts  of  America  where 
no  other  person  enjoyed  the  exclusive  right  of  trade.     Under 
this  license,  he  had  made  a  small  settlement  on  the  island  of 
Kent,  and,  when  the  grant  was  made  to  Lord  Baltimore,  refused 
to  submit  to  his  authority.     He  persuaded  the  natives  that  the 
u  new  comers"  were  Spaniards,  and  enemies  to  the  Virginians. 
An  Indian  war  was  the  consequence,  which  continued  several 
years,  and  was  productive  of  considerable  distress. 

9.  Clayborne  was  indicted  and  convicted  of  murder,  piracy, 
and  sedition ;  and  fleeing  from  justice,  his  estate  was  confiscated. 
He  applied  to  the  king  for  redress,  but  after  a  full  hearing,  was 
dismissed  without  obtaining  any  order  in  his  favor.     When  the 
civil  war,  between  the  king  and  parliament,  began,  he  embraced 
the  cause  of  the  latter,  returned  to  Maryland,  and,  by  his  intrigues 
fomented,  in  1645,  a  rebellion  against  its  rulers,  who  were  at* 


;  MARYLAND.  S3 

tached  to  the  royal  cause.  Calvert,  the  governor,  was  compelled 
to  fly  to  Virginia,  and  the  insurgents  seized  the  reins  of  govern 
ment.  The  next  year,  however,  the  revolt  was  suppressed  and 
tranquillity  restored. 

10.  But  after  the  parliament  had  triumphed  over  the  king, 
they  appointed  commissioners  for  "reducing  and  governing  the 
colonies  within  the  bay   of  Chesapeake."     Among  these  was 
Clayborne,  the  evil  genius  of  Maryland.     The  proprietor,  con 
senting  to  acknowledge  the  authority  of  parliament,  was  permit 
ted  to  retain  his  station,  but  was  unable  to  preserve  tranquillity. 
The  distractions  of  England,  finding  their  way  into  the  colony, 
occasioned  a  civil  war,  which  ended  in  the  discomfiture  of  the 
governor  and  Roman  Catholics. 

11.  The  next  assembly,  which  was  entirely  under  the  in 
fluence  of  the  victorious  party,  ordained  that  persons  professing 
tne  Catholic  religion  should  not  be  considered  within  the  protec 
tion  of  the  laws.     Thus  were  they  ungratefully  persecuted  by 
men  whom  they  had  taken  to  their  bosom,  arid  in  a  colony  which 
they  had  founded.     Laws  unfavorable  to  the  quakers  were  also 
enacted,  and  here,  as  in  England,  the  upper  house  was  voted  to 
be  useless.     At  the  restoration,  in  1660,  Philip  Calvert  was  ap 
pointed  governor,  and  the  ancient  order  of  things  restored. 
The  colony  then  contained  about  twelve  thousand  inhabitants. 

12.  In  1676,  died  Cecil,  Lord  Baltimore,  the  father  of  the 
province.     For  more  than  forty  years,  he  had  directed  its  affairs 
as  proprietor,  and  displayed,  in   all  his  conduct,  a  benevolent 
heart  and  enlightened  understanding.     Although  he  lived  in  an 
age  of  bigotry,  he  was  liberal  in  his  opinions  ;  and  for  all  his 
exertions  to  contribute  to  the  happiness  of  his  fellow  beings,  he 
desired  no  reward  but  their  gratitude.    This  reward  he  received. 
The  records  of  the  Maryland  assembly  contain  frequent  memo 
rials  of  the  respect  and  affection  of  the  people.     He  was  suc 
ceeded,  as  proprietor,  by  his  eldest  son,  Charles,  who  had,  for 
several  years,  been  governor  of  the  colony,  and  displayed  the 
same  amiable  qualities  which  had  rendered  his  father  respected 
and  beloved. 

13.  In  the  year  1689,  the  epoch  of  the  revolution  in  England, 
the  repose  of  Maryland  was  again  disturbed.     A  rumor  was  art 
fully  circulated,  that  the  Catholics  had  leagued  with  the  Indiana 
to  destroy  all  the  Protestants  in  the  province.     An  armed  asso 
ciation  was  immediately  formed,  for  the  defence  of  the  Protestant 
religion,  and  for  asserting  the  rights  of  king  William  and  queen 
Mary.     The  magistrates  attempted  to  oppose  by  force  this  asso 
ciation  ;  but,  meeting  with  few  supporters,  were  compelled  to 
Abdicate  the  government. 

H2 


50  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

14.  King  William  directed  those  who  had  assumed  the  su 
preme  authority  to  exercise  it  in  his  name  ;  and  for  twenty- 
seven  years  the  crown  retained  the  entire  control  of  the  province. 
In  1716,  the  proprietor  was  restored  to  his  rights;  and  he  and 
his  descendants  continued  to  enjoy  them  until  the  commence 
ment  of  the  revolution.  The  people  then  assumed  the  govern 
ment,  adopted  a  constitution,  and  refused  to  admit  the  claims  oi 
ord  Baltimore  to  jurisdiction  or  property. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

NORTH   CAROLINA. 


IN  1630,  Charles  the  first  granted  to  sir  Robert  Heath  all 
the  territory  between  the  30th  and  36th  degrees  of  north  latitude, 
and  extending  from  the  Atlantic  ocean  to  the  South  sea,  by  the 
name  of  Carolina.  Under  this  grant,  no  settlement  was  made. 
Between  1640  and  1650,  persons  suffering  from  religious  into 
lerance  in  Virginia,  fled  beyond  her  limits,  and,  without  license 
from  any  source,  occupied  that  portion  of  North  Carolina,  north 
of  Albemarle  sound.  They  found  the  winters  mild  and  the  soil 
fertile.  As  their  cattle  and  swine  procured  their  own  support 
in  the  woods  and  multiplied  fast,  they  were  enabled,  with  little 
labor,  to  live  in  the  enjoyment  of  abundance.  Their  number 
was  annually  augmented  ;  they  acknowledged  no  superior  upon 
earth,  and  obeyed  no  laws  but  those  of  God  and  nature. 

2.  In  1661,  another  settlement  was  made,  near  the  mouth  of 
Clarendon  river,  by  adventurers  from  Massachusetts.    The  land 
being  sterile  and  the  Indian,?  hostile,  they,  in  1663,  abandoned  it. 
Immediately  afterwards,  their  place  was  supplied  by  emigrants 
iVom  Barbadoes,  who  invested  Sir  John  Yeomaris  with  the  au 
thority  of  governor. 

3.  Sir  Robert  Heath  having  neglected  to  comply  with  the 
conditions  of  his  patent,  the  king1,  in   1663,  granted  the  same 
territory  to  Lord  Clarendon  and  seven  others,  and  invested  them 
with  ample  powers  of  government  over  those  who  should  inhabit 
it.     To  encourage  emigration,  they  gave  public  assurances,  that 
all  who  might  remove  to  their  territory,  should  enjoy  unrestrict 
ed  religious  liberty,  and  be  governed  by  a  free  assembly.     The 


[NORTH  CAROLINA.  91 

settlers  on  Aibemarle  sound  were,  on  certain  conditions,  allowed 
to  retain  their  land^.  A  government  over  them  was  organized, 
at  the  head  of  which  a  Mr.  Drummond  was  placed.  With  the 
regulations  imposed,  they  were  dissatisfied,  and  revolted  ;  but 
their  grievances  were  redressed,  and,  in  1668,  they  returned  to 
their  duty. 

4.  At  the  request  of  the  proprietors,  the  celebrated  John 
jLocke,  whose  political  writings  were  then  much  read  and  ad 
mired,  prepared  for  the  colony  a  constitution  of  government.    It 
provided  that  a  chief  officer,  to  be  called  the  palatine  and  to  hold 
his  office  during  life,  should  be  elected  from  among  the  proprie 
tors  ;  that  a  hereditary  nobility,  to  be  called  landgraves  and 
eaziques,  should  be  created ;  and  that,  once  in  two  years,  re 
presentatives  should  be  chosen  by  the  freeholders.     All  these, 
with  the  proprietors  or  their  deputies,  were  to  meet  in  one  as 
sembly,  which  was  to  be  called  the  parliament,  and  over  which 
the  palatine  was  to  preside.     The  parliament  could  deliberate 
and  decide  only  upon  such  propositions  as  should  be  laid  before 
it  by  a  grand  council  composed  of  the  palatine,  nobility,  and 
deputies  of  the  proprietors. 

5.  This  constitution,  however  wise  it  might  seem  to  English 
politicians,  was  not  adapted  to  the  sentiments  and  habits  of  the 
people  for  whom  it  was  prepared.     Its  aristocratic  features  dis 
pleased  them.     The  measures  adopted  to  introduce  and  enforce 
it,  produced,  in  connexion  with  other  causes,  an  insurrection,  in 
the  progress  of  which  the  palatine,  and  the  deputies  were  seized 
and  imprisoned.     Application  was  made  to  Virginia  for  assist 
ance  in  restoring  order ;  but  the  fear  of  punishment  induced  the 
insurgents  to  submit,  before  an  armed  force  could  be  arrayed 
against  them. 

6.  In  1670,  William  Sayle,  under  the  direction  of  the  pro 
prietors,  made  a  settlement  at  Port  Royal,  within  the  limits  of 
South  Carolina.     The  next  year,  dissatisfied  with  this  station, 
he  removed  his  colony  northward,  to  a  neck  of  land  between 
Ashley  and  Cooper  rivers,  where  he  laid  out  a  town,  which,  in 
honor  of  the  king  then  reigning,  he  called  Charleston.     Dying 
soon  after,  Sir  John  Yeomans,  who  had,  for  several  years,  been 
governor  at  Clarendon,  was  appointed  to  succeed  him.     This 
new  settlement  attracted  at  first  many  inhabitants  from  that  at 
Clarendon,  and  at  length  entirely  exhausted  it.     Being  remote 
from  Aibemarle,  the  proprietors  established  a  separate  govern 
ment  over  it,  and  hence  arose  the  distinctive  appellations  of 
North  and  Souin  Carolina. 

7.  The  prosperity  of  the  northern  colony  was  retarded  by 
domestic  dissentions.     To  allay  them.,  Seth  SotheJ,  one  of  the 


NORTH  CAROLINA. 

proprietors,  was  appointed  chief  magistrate.  His  conduct,  far 
from  restoring  quiet  and  contentment,  increased  the  disorders 
which  had  before  prevailed.  He  is  represented  as  the  most 
corrupt  and  rapacious  of  colonial  governors.  He  plundered  the 
innocent  and  received  bribes  from  felons.  For  six  years,  the 
inhabitants  endured  his  injustice  and  oppression.  They  then 
seized  him,  with  a  view  of  sending  him  to  England  for  trial.  At 
his  request,  he  was  detained  and  tried  by  the  assembly,  who  ba 
nished  him  from  the  colony. 

8.  His  successor  was  Philip  Ludwell,  of  Virginia,  and  to  him 
succeeded  John  Archdale,  who  was  a  quaker  and  one  of  the 
proprietors.     Both  were  popular  governors ;  under  their  ad 
ministration,  the  colony  prospered  and  the  people  were  happy. 
In  1693,  at  the  request  of  the  Carolinians,  the  constitution  of 
Locke  was  abrogated  by  the  proprietors,  and  each   colony  was 
afterwards  ruled  by  a  governor,  council,  and  house  of  represen 
tatives. 

9.  In  1707,  a  company  of  French  protestants  arrived  and 
seated  themselves  on  the  river  Trent,  a  branch  of  the  Neuse. 
in  1710,  a  large  number  of  Palatines,  fleeing  from  religious 
persecution  in  Germany,  sought  refuge  in  the  same  part  of  the 
province.    To  each  of  these,  the  proprietors  granted  one  hundred 
acres  of  land.     They  lived  happy,  for  a  few  years,  in  the  enjoy 
ment  of  liberty  of  conscience,  and  in  the  prospect  of  competence 
and  ease. 

10.  But  suddenly  a  terrible  calamity  fell  upon  them.     The 
-Tuscarora  and  Coree  Indians,  smarting  under  recent  injuries, 
and  dreading  total  extinction  from  the  encroachment  of  these 
strangers,  plotted,  with  characteristic  secrecy,  their  entire  de 
struction.     Sending  their  families  to  one  of  their  fortified  towns, 
twelve  hundred  bowmen  sallied  forth,  and,  in  the  same  night, 
attacked,  in  separate  parties,  the  nearest  settlements  of  the  Pa 
latines.     Men,  women,  and  children  were  indiscriminately  but 
chered.      The   savages,    with  the  swiftness  and   ferocity   of 
wolves,  ran  from  village  to  village.     Before  them,  was  the 
repose  of  innocence ;  behind,  the  sleep  of  death.     A  few,  es 
caping,  alarmed  the  settlements  more  remote,  and  hastened  to 
South  Carolina  for  assistance. 

11.  Governor  Craven  immediately  despatched,  to  the  aid  of  the 
sister  colony,  nearly  a  thousand  men,  under  the  command  of 
Colonel  Barnwell.     After  a  fatiguing  march  through  a  hideous 
wilderness,  they  met  the  enemy,  attacked,  defeated,  and  pursued 
them  to  their  fortified  town,  which  was  immediately  besieged.    In 
a  few  days,  peace,  at  their  solicitation,  was  concluded,   and 
Colonel  Barnwell  returned  to  South  Carolina. 


NORTH  CAROLINA.  93 

12.  The  peace  was  short,  and  upon  the  recommencement  of 
hostilities,  assistance  was  again  solicited  from  the  southern  colony. 
Colonel  James  Moore,  an  active  young  officer,  was  immediately 
despatched,  with  forty  white  men  and  eight  hundred  friendly 
Indians.     He  found  the  enemy  in  a  fort  near  Cotechny  river.. 
After  a  siege,  which  continued  more  than  a  week,  the  fort  was 
taken  and  eight  hundred  Indians  made  prisoners.     The  Tusca- 
roras,  disheartened  by  this  defeat,  migrated,  in  1713,  to  the  north, 
and  joined  the  celebrated  confederacy,  denominated  the  Five 
Nations.     The  others  sued  for  peace,  and  afterwards  continued 
friendly. 

13.  Until  1729,thetwo  C arolinas,  though  distinct  for  many  pur- 
poses,remained  under  the  superintendence  and  control  of  the  same 
proprietors.     Neither  had  been  prosperous ;  and  the  interests  of 
the  governors  and  governed  being  apparently  adverse  to  each 
other,  the  latter  became  discontented  and  refractory.      They 
complained  to  the  king,  who  directed  inquiry  to  be  made  in  his 
courts.     The  charter  which  he  had  granted  was  declared  for 
feited,  and  over  each  colony,  royal  governments,  entirely  uncon 
nected  with  each  other,  were  established. 

14.  Soon  after  this  event,  the  soil  in  the  interior  of  North 
Carolina  was  found  to  be  superior  in  fertility  to  that  on  the  sea- 
coast.     The  settlements,  consequently,  advanced  rapidly  into  the 
wilderness.     From  the  northern  colonies,  particularly  Pennsyl 
vania,  multitudes  were  allured  to  this  region  by  the  mildness  of 
the  climate,  and  by  the  facility  of  obtaining  in  abundance  all  the 
necessaries  of  life.     At  peace  with  the  Indians,  and  fortunate 
in  her  governors,  the  colony  continued  to  prosper  until  the  c  «>m~ 
mencement  of  the  troubles  which  preceeded  the  revolution. 


CHAPTER  XII. 
SOUTH  CAROLINA 


THIS  colony,  and  that  of  North  Carolina,  were,  as  has  already 
been  stated,  included  in  the  same  charter.  In  1670,  governor 
Sayle  made,  at  Port  Royal,  the  first  permanent  settlement  withia 
its  limits.  The  next  year,  he  founded  Old  Charleston,  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  Ashley.  In  1684,  all  the  freemen,  meeting 
at  this  place,  elected  representatives  to  sit  in  the  colonial  parlja- 
ment,  according  to  the  provisions  of  the  constitution  prepared  by 
Mr.  Locke. 

2.  Several  circumstances  contributed  to  promote  the  settle 
ment  of  this  colony.     The  conquest  of  New- York  induced  many 
of  the  Dutch  to  resort  to  it.     From  England,  puritans  came  to 
avoid  the  profanity  and  licentiousness  which  disgraced  the  court 
of  Charles  the  second  ;  and  cavaliers,  to  retrieve  their  fortunes, 
exhausted  by  the  civil  wars.     The  arbitrary  measures  of  Louis 
XIV,  drove  many  French  protestants  into  exile,  some  of  whom 
crossed  the  Atlantic  and  settled  in  Carolina.     Many  of  these 
exiles  were  rich ;  all  were  industrious,  and  by  their  exemplary 
demeanor  gained  the  good  will  of  the  proprietors. 

3.  The  situation  of  Charleston  being  found  inconvenient,  the 
inhabitants,  in  1680,  removed  to  Oyster  Point,  where  a  new 
city  was  laid  out,  to  which  the  name  of  the  other  was  given.     In 
the  same  year,  commenced  a  war  with  the  Westoes,  a  powerful 
tribe  of  Indians,  which  threatened  great  injury  to  the  colony. 
Peace,  however,  was  soon  restored.     In  1690,  Seth  Sothel,  one 
of  the  proprietors,  having,  for  corrupt  conduct,  been  driven  from 
North  Carolina,  appeared  suddenly  at  Charleston,  and,  aided  by 
a  powerful  faction,  assumed  the  reins  of  government.     Two 
years  afterwards  he  was  removed  from  office. 

4.  The  proprietors,  having  observed  the  good  conduct  of  the 
French  protestants,  directed  the  governor  to  permit  them  to  elect 
representatives,  a  privilege  which  they  had  never  yet  exercised. 
The  English  Episcopalians,  unwilling  that  any  of  their  heredi 
tary  enemies,  who  did  not  belong  to  their  church,  should  be 
associated  with  themselves  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  rights  of 
freemen,  were  exasperated,  and  opposed  the  concession  with 
great  clamor  and  zeal.     They  even  went  farther.     Warmed  by 
opposition,  they  proposed  to  enforce,  with  respect  to  them,  the 


SOUTH  CAROLINA.  95 

laws  of  England  against  foreigners,  insisting  that  they  could  not 
legally  possess  real  estate  in  the  colony.  They  also  declared 
that  their  marriages,  being  solemnized  by  French  ministers, 
were  void,  and  that  the  children  could  not  inherit  the  property 
of  their  fathers.  By  the  display  of  a  spirit  so  illiberal  and 
unchristian,  these  strangers  were  alarmed  and  discouraged. 
They  knew  not  for  whom  they  labored.  But,  countenanced  by 
die  governor,  they  remained  in  the  colony,  and,  for  the  present, 
withdrew  their  claim  to  the  right  of  suffrage. 

5.  Yet  the  ferment  did  not  subside  on  the  removal  of  the 
cause  which  produced  it.     Such  was  the  general  turbulence  and 
disorder,  the  people  complaining  of  their  rulers  and  quarrelling 
among  themselves,  that,  in  1695,  John  Archdale  was  sent  over, 
as  governor  of  both  Carolinas,  and  invested  with  full  power  to 
redress  all  grievances.     He  succeeded  in  restoring  order,  but 
found  the  antipathy  against  the  unfortunate  exiles  too  great  to  be 
encountered,  with  any  hope  of  success,  until  softened  by  time  and 
their  amiable  deportment.     These  produced  the  effects  which  he 
anticipated.     In  a  few  years,  the  French  protestants  were  ad 
mitted,  by  the  general  assembly,  to  all  the  rights  of  citizens  and 
freemen. 

6.  Although  the  proprietors,  by  the  regulations  which  were 
in  force  before  the  constitution  of   Locke  was  adopted,  and 
which  were  restored  upon  its  abrogation,  had  stipulated,  that 
liberty  of  conscience  should  be  universally  enjoyed  ;  yet  one  of 
them,  Lord  Granville,  a  bigoted  churchman,  and  James  Moore, 
the  governor,  resolved  to  effect,  if  possible,  the  establishment, 
in  the  colony,  of  the  Episcopal  religion.     They  knew  that  a 
majority  of  the  people  were  dissenters,  and  that  by  art  and  in 
trigue  only,  could  their  design  be  accomplished.    The  governor, 
who  was  avaricious  and  venal,  became  the  tool  of  Granville.    He 
interfered  in  the  elections,  and,  by  bribing  the  voters,  succeeded 
in  procuring  a  majority  in  the  assembly  who  would  be  subservient 
to  his  wishes. 

7.  A  law  was  passed,  establishing  the  episcopal  religion,  and 
excluding  dissenters  from  a  seat  in  the  assembly.     It  was  laid 
before  the  proprietors,   without  whose  sanction  it  could  not 
possess  permanent  validity.     Archdale,  who    had  returned  to 
England,  opposed  it  with  ability  and  spirit.     He  insisted  that 
good  faith,  pojicy,  interest,  even  piety,  concurred  to  dictate  its 
rejection.     But  Lord  Granville  declared  himself  in  favor  of  it, 
and  it  received  confirmation. 

8.  The  dissenters  saw  themselves  at  once  deprived  of  those 
privileges  for  which  they  had  abandoned  their  native  country, 
and  encountered  the  dangers  arul  hardship?  of  the  ocean  and  a 


96  SOUTH  CAROLINA. 

wilderness.  Some  prepared  to  leave  the  colony  and  settle  in 
Pennsylvania.  Others  proposed  that  a  remonstrance  against  the 
law  should  first  be  presented  to  the  house  of  lords,  and  this 
measure  was  adopted.  The  lords  expressed,  by  a  vote,  their 
disapprobation  of  the  law,  and  upon  their  solicitation,  queen 
Anne  declared  it  void.  Soon  after,  Lord  Granville  died,  and  the 
colony,  controlled  by  more  liberal  councils,  again  enjoyed  the 
blessings  of  domestic  quiet. 

9.  In  1702,  war  then  existing  between  England  and  Spain, 
governor  Moore,  thirsting  for  Spanish  plunder,  led  an  expedition 
against  St.  Augustine.     It  was  badly  planned,  worse  executed, 
and  failed.     Returning  from  defeat  abroad,  he  met,  at  home,  the 
reproaches  of  his  people.     To  silence  these,  he  marched,  at  the 
head  of  a  body  of  troops,  against  the  Apalachian  Indians,  who 
had  become  insolent  and  hostile.     In  this  expedition  he  was 
successful,  taking  many  prisoners,  and  laying  their  towns  in 
ashes.     By  his  victories  over  the   savages,   he  retrieved  his 
character ;  and,  by  selling  the  prisoners  as  slaves,  obtained, 
what  he  most  coveted,  considerable  personal  emolument. 

10.  In  1706,  the  Spaniards,  from  Florida,  invaded  Carolina 
The  governor,  Nathaniel  Johnson,  having  received  intimation 
of  their  approach,  erected  fortifications  and  made  arrangements 
to  obtain,  on  short  warning,  the  assistance  of  the  militia.   When 
the  enemy's  fleet  appeared  before  Charleston,  the  whole  strength 
of  the  colony  was  summoned  to  defend  it.     A  force  so  formidable 
ensured  its  safety.     After  burning  a  few  detached  buildings,  the 
enemy  retired  without  inflicting  other  injury.     One   of  their 
ships,  having  ninety  men  on  board,  was  captured  by  the  Caroli 
nians. 

11.  In  1715,  after  several  years  of  profound  peace,  an  Indian 
war  broke  out.     All  the  tribes,  from  Florida  to  cape  Fear,  had 
been  long  engaged  in  a  conspiracy  to  extirpate  the  whites.     In 
the  morning  of  the  15th  of  April,  the  first  blow  was  struck.     At 
Pocataligo,  and  the  settlements  around  Port  Royal,  ninety  per 
sons  were   massacred.     The   inhabitants   of  the   latter   piace 
escaped,  by  embarking  precipitately  on  board  a  vessel,  which  was 
then  in  the  harbor,  and  sailing  directly  to  Charleston. 

12.  This  massacre  was  perpetrated  by  the  southern  Indians. 
The  northern,  at  the  same  time,  attacked  the  settlements  near 
them.     Many  of  the  inhabitants  were  killed,  arid  many  fled  to 
Charleston.   At  a  plantation  on  Goose  creek,  seventy  whites  and 
forty  faithful  negroes,  being  protected  by  a  breast  work,  de 
termined  to  maintain  their  post.      On  the  first  attack,  their 
courage  failed,  and  they  agreed  to  surrender.     The  instant  they 
were  in  the  power  of  the  enemy,  all  were  barbarously  murdered, 


SOUTH  CAROLINA.  s  97 

13.  Governor  Craven,  at  the  head  of  twelve  hundred  men, 
inarched  against  the  savages.     He  discovered  in  the  wilderness 
several  small  parties,  who  fled  before  him.     At  Saltcatchers,  he 
found  them  all  assembled,  and  there  an  obstinate  and  bloody 
battle  was  fought.     The  whites  were  victorious,  driving  the 
enemy  before  them,  and  compelling  them  to  leave  the  province. 
Most  of  them  fled  to  Florida,  where  they  were  received,  in  the 
most  friendly  manner,  by  the  Spaniards. 

14.  In  this  short  war,  four  hundred  whites  were  killed,  pro 
perty  of  great  value  destroyed,  and  a  large  debt  contracted. 
The  proprietors  though  earnestly  solicited,  refused  to  afford  any 
relief,  or  to  pay  any  portion  of  the  debt.     The  assembly  de 
termined  to  remunerate  the  colony,  by  disposing  of  the  land  from 
which  the  Indians  had  been  driven.     The  terms  offered  were  so 
favorable,  that  five  hundred  Irishmen  immediately  came  over, 
and  planted  themselves  on  the  frontiers. 

15.  The  proprietors,  refusing  to  sanction  the  proceedings  of 
the  assembly,  deprived  these  emigrants  of  their  lands.     Some, 
reduced  to  extreme  poverty,  perished  from  want,  others  resorted 
to  the  northern  colonies.     A  strong  barrier  between  the  old 
settlements  and  the  savages,  was  thus  removed,  and  the  country 
again  exposed  to  their  incursions.  The  people  were  exasperated, 
and  longed  for  a  change  of  masters. 

16.  The  corrupt  and  oppressive  conduct  of  Trott,  the  chief- 
justice,  and  Rhett,  the  receiver-general,  increased  the  discontent. 
Of  the  former,  the  governor  and  council  complained  to  the  pro 
prietors,  and  solicited  his  recall.     Instead  of  removing  him, 
they  thanked  him  for  his  services,  and  removed  the  governor 
and  council.     With  the  governor  next  appointed,  though  a  man 
generally  beloved,  the  assembly  refused  to  have  any  concern  or 
intercourse.     They  drew  up  articles  of  impeachment  against 
Trott,  accusing  him  of  corruption  and  gross  misconduct,  and 
sent  an  agent  to  England,  to  maintain  their  accusation  before  the 
proprietors.     He  was  nevertheless  continued  in  office. 

17.  The  patience  of  the  people  was  exhausted,  and  they 
waited  only  for  a  favorable  opportunity  to  throw  off  their  oppres 
sive  yoke.     In  1719,   at  a  general  review  of  the  militia  at 
Charleston,  occasioned  by  a  threatened  invasion  of  the  colony, 
from  Florida,  the  officers  and  soldiers  bound  themselves,  by  a 
solemn  compact,  to  support  each  other  in  resisting  the  tyranny 
of  the  proprietors ;  and  the  assembly,  which  was  then  in  session, 
requested  the  governor,  by  a  respectful  address,  to  consent  to 
administer  the  government  in  the  name  of  the  king. 

18.  He  refused,  and,  by  proclamation,  dissolved  the  assembly. 
The  members  immediately  met  as  a  convention,  and  elected 


98  SOUTH  CAROLINA, 

colonel  James  Moore  their  governor.  He  was  a  bold  man,  and 
exceedingly  well  qualified  for  a  popular  leader,  in  a  turbulent 
season.  He  accepted  the  appointment,  and,  assisted  by  the 
convention,  and  supported  by  the  people,  administered  the  affairs' 
of  the  colony. 

19.  The  conduct  of  the  proprietors  and  people  was  brought 
before  his  majesty  in  council.     After  a  full  hearing,  it  was  deci" 
ded,  that  both  colonies  should  be  taken  under  the  protection  of 
the  crown.     Several  years  afterwards,  seven  of  the  proprietors 
sold  to  the  king  their  claim  to  the  soil  and  rents,  and  all  assigned 
to  him  their  right  of  jurisdiction.     The  government  was  subse 
quently  administered  by  executive  officers,  appointed  by  the 
crown,  and  by  assemblies,  chosen  by  the  people,  and  under  their 
control  the  colony  prospered. 

20.  In  1738,  occurred  an  alarming  insurrection  of  the  negroes. 
A  number  of  them  assembled  at  Stono,  surprised  and  killed  two 
men  who  had  charge  of  a  ware-house,  from  which  they  took 
guns  and  ammunition.     They  then  chose  a  captain,  and,  with 
drums  beating  and  colors  flying,  marched  southwestward.  They 
burned  every  house  on  their  way,  killed  all  the  whites  they  could 
find,  and  compelled  other  negroes  to  join  them. 

21.  Governor  Bull,  who  was  returning  to  Charleston,  from 
the  southward,  accidentally  met  them,  hastened  out  of  their  way, 
and  spread  an  alarm.     The  news  soon  reached  Wiltown,  where, 
fortunately,  a  large  congregation  were  attending  divine  service. 
The  men  having,  according  to  a  law  of  the  province,  brought 
their  arms  to  the  place  of  worship,  marched  instantly  in  quest  of 
the  negroes,  who,  by  this  time,  had  become  formidable,  and 
spread  terror  and  desolation  around  them. 

22.  While,  in  an  open  field,  they  were  carousing  and  dancing, 
with  frantic  exultation  at  their  late  success,  they  were  suddenly 
attacked  by  the  whites.     Some  were  killed,  the  remainder  fled. 
Most  of  the  fugitives  were  taken  and  tried.     They  who  had 
been  compelled  to  join  the  conspirators,  were  pardoned  ;  but  ail 
the  leaders  and  first  insurgents  suffered  death.     About  twenty 
whites  were  murdered. 

23.  From  this  period  until  the  era  of  the  revolution,  no  im 
portant  event  occurred  in  the  colony.     It  was  sometimes  distres 
sed  by  Indian  wars ;  but  the  number  of  inhabitants  and  the 
means  of  subsistence  and  comfort,  were  constantly  increasing. 
Emigrants  came  principally  from  the  northern  colonies ;  but  often 
large  bodies  of  protestants  arrived  from  Europe ;  in  one  year> 
1752,  the  number  who  came  exceeded  sixteen  hundred 


CHAPTER  XHL 
GEORGIA. 


UPON  the  southern  part  of  the  territory  included  in  the 
Carolina  charter,  no  settlement  was  made,  until  several  years 
after  that  charter  was  forfeited.  In  June  1732,  several  bene 
volent  gentlemen,  in  England,  concerted  a  project  for  planting 
a  colony  in  that  unoccupied  region.  Their  principal  object  was 
to  relieve,  by  transporting  thither,  the  indigent  subjects  of  Great 
Britain ;  but  their  plan  of  benevolence  embraced  also  the  perse 
cuted  protestants  of  all  nations. 

2.  To  a  project  springing  from  motives  so  noble  and  disin 
terested,  the  people  and  the  government  extended  their  encou 
ragement  and  patronage.     A  patent  was  granted  by  the  king, 
conveying  to  twenty-one  trustees  the  territory  now  constituting 
the  state  of  GEORGIA,  which  was  to  be  apportioned  gratuitously 
among  the  settlers ;  and  liberal  donations  were  made  by  the 
charitable,  to  defray  the  expense  of  transporting  them  across  the 
Atlantic,  and  of  providing  for  their  support  the  first  season. 

3.  The  concerns  of  the  colony  were  managed  by  the  trustees, 
who  freely  devoted  much  of  their  time  to  the  undertaking. 
Among  other  regulations,  they  provided,  that  the  lands  should 
not  be  sold  nor  devised  by  the  owners,  but  should  descend  to  the 
male  children  only ;  J;hey  forbade  the  use  of  rum  in  the  colony, 
and  strictly  prohibited  the  importation  of  negroes.     But  none  of 
these  regulations  remained  long  in  force. 

4.  In  November,  1732,  one  hundred  and  thirteen  emigrants 
embarked  for  Georgia,  at  the  head  of  whom  the  trustees  had 
placed  James  Oglethorpe,  a  zealous  and  active  promoter  of  this 
scheme  of  benevolence.    In  January,  they  arrived  at  Charleston ; 
and  the  Carolinians,  sensible  of  the  advantage  of  having  a  barrier 
between  them  and  the  southern  Indians,  gave  the  adventurers  a 
cordial  welcome.    They  supplied  them  with  provisions,  and  with 
boats  to  convey  them  to  the  place  of  their  destination.     Yama- 
craw  bluff,  since  called   Savannah,  was  selected  as  the  most 
eligible  place  for  a  settlement. 

5.  The  next  year,  five  or  six  hundred  poor  persons  arrived, 
and  to  each  a  portion  of  the  wilderness  was  assigned.     But  it 
was  soon  found  that  these  emigrants,  who  were  the  refuse  of 
cities,  had  been  rendered  poor  by  idleness,  and  irresolute  by 


100  GEORGIA. 

poverty,  were  not  fitted  to  fell  the  mighty  groves  of  Georgia. 
A  race  more  hardy  and  enterprising,  was  necessary.  The 
trustees,  therefore,  offered  to  receive,  also,  such  as  had  not,  bv 
persecution  or  poverty,  been  rendered  objects  of  compassion 
and  to  grant  to  all,  who  should  settle  in  the  colony,  fifty  acres  ol 
land.  In  consequence  of  this  offer,  more  than  four  hundred  per 
sons,  from  Germany,  Scotland,  and  Switzerland,  arrived  in  the 
year  1735.  The  Germans  settled  at  Ebenezer,  the  Scotch  at 
New-Inverness,  now  Darien. 

6.  In  1736,  John  Wesley,  a  celebrated  methodist,  made  a 
visit  to  Georgia,  for  the  purpose  of  preaching  to  the  colonists, 
and  converting  the  Indians.     Among  the  former,  he  made  some 
proselytes,  but  more  enemies.     He  was  accused  of  diverting  the 
people  from  labor,  of  fomenting  divisions,  of  claiming  and  ex 
ercising  high  and  unwarranted  ecclesiastical  authority.   His  con 
duct  towards  the  niece  of  one  of  the  principal  settlers  was  highly 
resented  by  her  friends.  Thirteen  indictments,  for  alleged  offences, 
were  found  against  him ;  but  before  the  time  of  trial,  he  returned 
to  England,  and  there,  for  many  years,  pursued  a  successful  and 
distinguished  career  of  piety  and  usefulness. 

7.  Two  years  afterwards,  George  Whitefield,  another  and 
more  celebrated  methodist,  arrived  in  the  colony.     He  had  al 
ready  made  himself  conspicuous  in  England,  by  his  numerous 
eccentricities,  his  ardent  piety,  his  extraordinary  eloquence,  his 
zeal  and  activity  in  propagating  his  opinions.     He  came  to 
Georgia  for  the  benevolent  purpose  of  establishing  an  orphan 
house,  where  poor  children  might  be  fed,  clothed,  and  educated 
in  the  knowledge  of  Christianity.  In  prosecution  of  this  purpose, 
he  often  crossed  the  Atlantic,  and  traversed  Great  Britain  and 
America,  soliciting  aid  from  the  pious  and  charitable.  Wherever 
he  went,  he  preached,  with  sincerity  and  fervor,  his  peculiar 
doctrines,  making  proselytes  of  most  who  heard  him,  and  found 
ing  a  sect  which  has  since  become  numerous  and  respectable, 
His  orphan  house,  during  his  life,  did  not  flourish,  and  after  his 
death,  was  entirely  abandoned. 

8.  In  1740,  the  trustees  rendered  an  account  of  their  ad 
ministration.     At  that  time,  two  thousand  four  hundred  and 
ninety-eight  emigrants  had  arrived  in  the  colony.     Of  these, 
fifteen  hundred  and  twenty-one  were  indigent  Englishmen,  or 
persecuted  protestants.     The  benefactions,  from   government 
and  from  individuals,  had  been  nearly  half  a  million  of  dollars ; 
and  it  was  computed  that,  for  every  person  transported  and 
maintained  by  the  trustees,  more  than  three  hundred  dollars  had 
been  expended. 

9.  The  hope  which  the  trustees  had  cherished,  that  the  colonr, 


GEORGIA.  101 

planted  at  such  vast  expense,  would  l?e  .prosperous,  and  the  ob 
jects  of  their  benevolence  happy,  were  completely  disappointed. 
Such  was  the  character  of  the  greater  part  <tf  ihn  settlers*  and 
such  the  restrictions  imposed,  that  the  plantations  languished 
and  continued  to  require  the  contributions  of  the  charitable. 

10.  War  having  been  declared  against  Spain,  Mr.  Oglethorpe 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  general  in  the  British  army,  and  at 
the  head  of  two  thousand  men,  partly  from  Virginia  and  the 
Carolinas,  undertook  an  expedition  against  Florida.     He  took 
two  Spanish  forts  and  besieged  St.  Augustine ;  but  encountering 
an  obstinate  resistance,  was  compelled  to  return  unsuccessful  to 
Georgia. 

11.  Two  years  afterwards  the  Spaniards,  in  retaliation,  pre 
pared  to  invade  Georgia ;  and  they  intended,  if  successful  there, 
Co  subjugate  the  Carolinas  and  Virginia.     On  receiving  infor 
mation  of  their  approach,  general  Oglethorpe  solicited  assistance 
from  South  Carolina.    But  the  inhabitants  of  that  colony,  enter 
taining  a  strong  prejudice  against  him,  in  consequence  of  his 
lute  tieJeat,  and  terrified  by  the  danger  which  threatened  them 
selves,  determined  to  provide  only  for  their  own  safety. 

12.  Meamvhile  general  Oglethorpe  made  preparations  for  a 
vigorous  defence.     He  assembled  seven  hundred  men  exclusive 
of  a  body  of  Indians,  fixed  his  head  quarters  at  Frederica,  on 
the  island  of  St.  Simon,  and  with  this  small  band,  determined  to 
encounter  whatever  force  might  be  brought  against  him.     It  was 
his  utmost  hope  that  he  might  be  able  to  resist  the  enemy  until 
a  reinforcement  should  arrive  from  Carolina,  which  he  daily 
and  anxiously  expected. 

13.  On  the  last  of  June,  the  Spanish  fleet,  consisting  of  thirty- 
two  sail,  and  having  on  board  more  than  three  thousand  men, 
came  to  anchor  off  St.  Simon's  bar.     Notwithstanding  all  the 
resistance  which  genera/  Oglethorpe  could  oppose,  they  sailed 
up  the  river  Alatamaha,  landed  upon  the  island,  and  there  erected 
fortifications. 

14.  General  Oglethorpe,  convinced  that  his  small  force,  if 
divided,  must  be  entirely  inefficient,  assembled  the  whole  of  it 
at  Frederica.     One  portion  he  employed  in  strengthening  his 
fortifications ;  the  Highlanders  and  Indians,  ranging  night  and 
day  through  the  woods,  often  attacked  the  out-posts  of  the  ene 
my.     The  toil  of  the  troops  was  incessant ;  and  the  long  delay 
of  the  expected  succors,  so  cruelly  withheld  by  South  Carolina, 
caused  the  most  gloomy  and  depressing  apprehensions. 

15.  Learning  that  the  Spanish  army  occupied  two   distinct 
positions,  Oglethorpe  conceived  the  project  of  attacking  one  by 
surprise.     He  selected  the  bravest  of  his  little  army,  and  in  the 

T  2 


102  GEOHGIA. 

night  matched,  entirely  unobserved,  to  within  two  miles  of  the 
camp  which  he  intended  to  assail.  Directing  his  troops  to  halt, 
he  a$vaftccj$vatthe  iieatl 'ctf  a  small  body,  to  reconnoitre  the 
enetriy.  While  thus  employed,  a  French  soldier  of  his  party, 
firing  his  musket,  deserted  to  the  Spaniards.  Discovery  destroy 
ing  all  hope  of  success,  the  general  immediately  returned  to 
Frederica.  He  was  not  only  chagrined  at  this  occurrence,  but 
apprehended  instant  danger  from  the  disclosure  which  the  de 
serter  would  doubtless  make  of  his  weakness. 

16.  In  this  embarassment,  he  devised  an  expedient  which  was 
attended  with  the  most  happy  success.     He  wrrote  a  letter  to 
the  deserter,  instructing  him  to  acquaint  the  Spaniards  with  the 
defenceless  state  of  Frederica,  to  urge  them  to  attack  the  place, 
and  if  he  could  not  succeed,  to  persuade  them  to  remain  three 
days  longer  on  the  island  ;  for  within  that  time,  according  to  late 
advices  from  Carolina,  he  should  receive  a  reinforcement  of  two 
thousand  men  and  six  ships  of  wrar.     He  cautioned  him  against 
dropping  any  hint  of  the  attack  meditated,  by  admiral  "Vernon, 
upon  St.  Augustine,  and  assured  him  that  the  reward  for  his 
services  should  be  ample. 

17.  For  a  small  bribe,  a  soldier  who  had  been  made  prisoner 
in  one  of  the  numerous  skirmishes,  engaged  to  deliver  this  letter 
to  the  deserter,  and  was  then  set  at  liberty.     As  was  foreseen, 
he  earned  it  directly  to  the  Spanish  general,  wrho  immediately 
suspected  the  deserter  to  be  a  spy  from  the  English  camp,  and 
ordered  him  to  be  put  in  irons.     But  although  his  suspicions 
were  awakened,  he  was  yet  uncertain  whether  the  whole  might 
not  be  a  stratagem  of  his  antagonist. 

18.  While  hesitating  what  to  believe,  three  small  vessels  of 
war  appeared  off  the  coast.     Supposing  they  brought  the  rein 
forcements  alluded  to  in  the  letter  to  the  deserter,  he  hesitated 
no  longer,  but  determimed  to  make  a  vigorous  attack  upon  the 
English,  before  these  reinforcements  could  arrive  and  be  brought 
into  action. 

19.  General  Oglethorpe,  by  mere  accident,  obtained  informa 
tion  of  their  design.     A  small  party  was  instantly  placed   in 
ambuscade,  the  Spaniards  advanced  near  them,  halted  to  rest, 
and  laid  aside  their  arms.  (  A  sudden  and  well  directed  fire, 
killing  many,  threw  the  enemy  into  confusion.     After  a  few 
more  discharges,  they  fled  to  their  fortifications,  which  they  de 
molished,  arid,  hastily  embarking,  made  every  possible  effort  to 
escape  from  the  reinforcements  that  were  supposed  to  be  ap 
proaching. 

20.  Thus  was  Georgia,  with  trifling  loss,  delivered  from  the 
most  imminent  danger.     General  Oglethorpe  not  only  retrieved, 


FRENCH  V\AR  OF  1756—63.  103 

but  exalted  his  reputation.  From  the  Carolinians,  grateful  for 
their  preservation,  and  from  the  governors  of  most  of  the  northern 
I  colonies,  he  received  cordial  congratulations  upon  his  address 
and  good  fortune.  And  so  mortified  were  the  Spaniards  at  the 
result  of  the  expedition,  that  the  commander,  on  his  return,  was 
arrested,  tried,  and  cashiered  for  misconduct. 

21.  But  the  prosperity  of  the  colony  was  retarded  by  these 
disturbances.     For  ten  years   longer,  it  remained  under  the 
management  of  the  trustees,  who,  embarrassing  it  by  too  much 
regulation,  discouraged  the  emigrants  and  checked  its  growth. 
At  length,  disappointed  in  their  hopes,  and  wearied  by  complaints, 
they  surrendered  their  charter  to  the  crown  ;  and,  in  1754,  a 
royal  government  was  established  over  the  colony. 

22.  New  regulations  being  adopted,  Georgia  began  to  flourish, 
Among  her  governors,  James  Wright  deserves  honorable  notice 
for  his  wisdom  in  discerning,  arid  his  zeal  in  pursuing,  her  true 
interests.     The  cultivation  of  rice  and  indigo  was  prosecuted 
with  augmented  industry,  skill,  and  profit ;  and  in  every  succeed 
ing  year,  an  increased  amount  of  these  staple  commodities  was 
exported  to  the  mother  country.     The  Florida  Indians  were 
sometimes  troublesome,  but  were  as  often  chastised  and  com 
pelled  to  sue  for  peace. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756-63. 


THE  treaty  of  Aix  la  Chapelle  concluded  in  1748,  between 
England  and  France,  restored  tranquillity  to  America.  At  this 
period,  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  thirteen  colonies  was 
about  one  million  one  hundred  thousand.  The  English  set 
tlements  had  not  advanced  far  into  the  wilderness,  but  extended 
along  the  ocean  from  New-Foundland  to  Florida.  Those  of 
the  French,  at  the  north,  reached  from  the  mouth  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  to  Montreal ;  and  they  had  built  forts  and  trading 
houses  on  lake  Ontario.  At  the  south,  they  had  planted  New- 
Orleans,  and  having  discovered  the  river  Mississippi,  they  claimed 
the  fertile  and  delightful  valley  through  which  it  runs,  and  the 
whole  country  watered  by  its  tributary  streams. 


104  FRENCH  WrAR  OF  1766—63.  — — — 

2.  They  at  length  determined  to  connect  their  northern  and 
southern  settlements  by  a  chain  of  posts  extending  along  the 
frontiers  of  the  English,  from  lake  Ontario  to  the  Ohio,  and 
down  that  river  and  the  Mississippi  to  New- Orleans.     While 
they  were  intent  on  this  project,  a  company  of  Englisn  traders, 
having  obtained  from  the  king  a  grant  of  land,  established  trading 
houses  on  the  banks  of  the  Ohio. 

3.  The  French  seized  some  of  these  traders  and  conveyed 
them  prisoners  to   Canada.      The   company    complained    to 
governor  Dinwiddie,  of  Virginia.    The  land  having  been  granted 
as  a  part  of  that  colony,  he  determined  to  send  a  messenger  to 
the  commander  of  the  French  forces  on  the  Ohio,  and  require 
him  to  withdraw   his  troops.      For  this  mission  he  selected 
George  Washington,  who  was  then  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and 
who  afterwards  became  illustrious  in  the  annals  of  his  country. 

4.  To  the  letter  of  Dinwiddie,  the  French  commander  replied, 
that  he  had  taken  possession  of  the  country  in  pursuance  of 
directions  from  his  general,  then  in  Canada,  to  whom  he  would 
transmit  the  letter,  and  whose  orders  he  should  implicitly  obey. 
This  reply  not  being  satisfactory  to  the  governor,  preparations 
were  made  in  Virginia,  to  maintain  by  force  the  rights  of  the 
British  crown.     Troops,  constituting  a  regiment,  were  raised, 
the  command  of  whom,  en  the  death  of  the  colonel  first  appointed, 
was  given  to  Mr.  Washington. 

5.  At  the  head  of  about  four  hundred  men,  he  advanced, 
early  in  the  spring,  into  the  territory  in  dispute.     On  his  route, 
he  met,  attacked,  and  defeated,  a  French  party  under  the  com 
mand  of  one  Dijonville,  who  approached  him  in  a  manner  in 
dicating  hostile   intentions.     He  proceeded    towards  fort  Du 
Quesne,  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  Allegany  and  Monongahela. 
From  this  fort,  De  Villier,  at  the  head  of  nine  hundred  men, 
marched  out  to  attack  him. 

6.  Hearing  of  the  approach  of  this  party,  colonel  Washington 
halted,  and  hastily  erected  some  imperfect  works,  by  means  of 
which  he  hoped  to  prolong  his  defence  until  the  arrival  of  rein 
forcements.     Ha  was  closely  besieged  by  De  Villier,  but  making 
an  obstinate  defence,  was  offered  the  most  honorable  terms  of 
capitulation.   These  he  accepted,  and  returned  with  his  regiment 
to  Virginia. 

7.  In  this  year,  delegates  from  seven  of  the  colonies  met  at 
Albany,  for  the  purpose  of  holding  a  conference  with  the  Six 
Nations  of  Indians.     This  business  being  finished,  a  confedera 
tion  of  the  colonies  was  proposed  by  the  delegates  from  Massa 
chusetts.    A  "  Plan  of  Union"  was  agreed  upon,  to  be  submitted 
to  the  colonial  legislatures,  and  to  parliament,  for  their  adoption. 


1755.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756—63.  105 

8.  This  plan  provided  that  delegates  to  a  General  Council 
should  be  chosen  by  the  representatives  of  the  people,  in  the 
colonial  assemblies,  and  that  a  president-general  should  be  ap 
pointed  by  the  crown.     This  council  was  to  possess  the  control 
of  the  military  force  of  the  confederacy,  and  the  power  to  concert 
all   measures   for  the  common  protection   and    safety.     The 
president-general  was  to  have  a  negative  upon  the  proceedings 
of  the  delegates. 

9.  This  plan  was  rejected  by  parliament,  because  the  dele 
gates  were  to  be  chosen  by  the  representatives  of  the  people. 
It  was  rejected  by  the  colonies,  because  it  placed  too  much  power 
in  the  hands  of  the  king.     In  England,  apprehensions  were  al 
ready  entertained  of  the  growing  importance  of  the  colonial 
assemblies.  In  America,  the  people  began,  perhaps  unconsciously, 
to  be  actuated  by  the  spirit  of  independence. 

10.  The  conduct  of  the  French,  on  the  Ohio,  convinced  the 
cabinet  of  London  that  their  claim  to  the  country,  through 
which  that  river  flows,  must  be  relinquished,  or  maintained  by 
the  sword.     They  did  not  hesitate  which  alternative  to  choose. 
Early  in  the  spring  of  1755,  they  despatched  general  Braddock 
to  America,  with  a  respectable  force,  to  expel  the  French,  and 
keep  possession  of  the  territory.     And  preparations  having  been 
made  by  France  to  despatch  a  reinforcement  to  her  armies  in 
Canada,  admiral  Boscawen  was  ordered  to  endeavor  to  intercept 
the  French  fleet  before  it  should  enter  the  gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

11.  In  April,  general  Braddock  met  the  governors  of  the 
several  provinces,  to  confer  upon  the  plan  of  the  ensuing  cam 
paign.     Three  expeditions  were  resolved  upon:  one  against  Du 
Quesne,  to  be  commanded  by  general  Braddock ;  one  against 
forts  Niagara  and  Frontinac,  to  be  commanded  by  governor 
Shirley ;  and  one  against  Crown  Point,  to  be  commanded  by 
general  Johnson.     The  last  mentioned  post  was  the  nearest  to 
New  England  of  any  in  the  possession  of  the  enemy ;  and  from 
it  almost  all  the  Indian  parties,  which  had,  in  the  late  wars,  so 
cruelly  harassed  the  northern  colonies,  were  despatched  and 
supported.     The  expedition  against  it  was  proposed  and  urged 
by  Massachusetts,  and  was  to  be  executed  by  colonial  troops, 
raised  in  New-England  and  New- York.  . 

12.  While  preparations  were  making  for  these  expeditions, 
another,  which  had  been  previously  concerted,  was  earned  on 
against  the  French  forces  in  Nova  Scotia.     This  province  was 
settled  by  the  French,  but  was  ceded  to  the  English  by  the 
treaty  of  Utrecht.    Its  boundaries  not  having  been  defined,  the 
French  continued  to  occupy  a  portion  of  the  territory  claimed 


FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756—63.  [  1755 

by  the  English,  and  had  built  forts  for  their  defence.    To  gain 
possession  of  these  was  the  object  of  the  expedition. 

13.  About  two  thousand  militia,   commanded   by  Colonel 
Winslow,  embarked  at  Boston ;  and  being  joined  on  their  passage 
by  three  hundred  regulars,  arrived,  in  April,  at  the  place  of 
destination.     The  forts  were  invested  ;  the  resistance  made  was 
trifling  and  ineffectual ;  and  in  a  short  time  the  English  gained 
entire  possession  of  the  province,  according  to  their  own  defini 
tion  of  its  boundaries.     Three  only  of  their  men  were  killed. 

14.  The  preparations  of  General  Braddock,  in  Virginia,  had 
proceeded  slowly.     It   had  been  found  extremely  difficult  to 
procure  horses,  wagons,  and  provisions.     Impatient  of  delay,  he 
determined  to  set  out  with  twelve  hundred  men,  selected  from 
the  different  corps,  and  to  proceed,  as  rapidly  as  possible,  towards 
fort  Du  Quesne.     The  residue  of  the  army,  and  the  heavy  bag 
gage,  were  left  under  the  command  of  Col.  Dunbar,  who  was 
directed  to  follow  as  soon  as  the  preparations  were  completed, 

15.  Braddock  had  been  educated  in  the  English  army;  and 
in  the  science  of  war,  as  then  taught  in  Europe,  he  deserved  and 
enjoyed  the  reputation  of  more  than  ordinary  skill.     Of  this  re 
putation  he  was  vain,  and  disdained  to  consider  that  his  skill  was 
totally  inapplicable  to  the  mode  of  warfare  practised  in  the 
forests  of  America.     Before  he  left  England,  he  was  repeatedly 
admonished  to  beware  of  a  surprise  ;  and  on  his  march  through 
the  wilderness,  the  provincial  officers  frequently  entreated  him 
to  scour  the  surrounding  thickets.     But  he  held  these  officers 
and  the  enemy  in  too  much  contempt  to  listen  to  this  salutary 
counsel. 

16.  On  approaching  fort  Du  Quesne,  Col.  Washington,  who 
accompanied  him  as  his  aid,  made  a  last  attempt  to  induce  him 
to  change  his  order  of  march.     He  explained  the  Indian  mode 
of  warfare  ;  represented  his  danger ;  and  offered  to  take  com 
mand  of  the  provincials  and  place  himself  in  advance  of  the 
army.     This  offer  was  declined.     The  general  proceeded,  con 
fident  of  the  propriety  of  his  conduct;  the  provincials  followed, 
trembling  for  the  consequences. 

17.  On  the  ninth  of  July,  the  army  crossed  the  Monongahela, 
within  a  few  miles  of  Du  Quesne.     Their  route  led  through  a 
defile,  which  they  had  nearly  passed,  when  a  tremendous  yell 
and  instantaneous  discharge  of  firearms  suddenly  burst  upon  them 
from  an  invisible  foe.     The  van  was  thrown  into   confusion. 
The  general  led  the  main  body  to  its  support.     For  a  moment, 
order  was  restored,  and  a  short  cessation  of  the  enemy's  fire,  oc 
casioned  by  the  death  of  their  commander,  seemed  to  indicate 
that- all  danger  was  over. 


2755.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756—63.  107 

18.  But  the  attack  was  soon  renewed  witth  increased  fury. 
Concealed  behind  trees,  logs,  and  rocks,  the  Indians  poured  upon 
the  troops  a  deadly  and  incessant  fire.     Officers  and  men  fell 
thickly  around,  and  the  survivers  knew  not  where  to  direct  their 
aim  to  revenge  their  slaughtered  comrades.     The  whole  body- 
was  again  thrown  into  confusion.     The  general,  obstinate  and 
courageous,  refused  to  retreat,  but  bent  his  whole  efforts  to  restore 
and  maintain  order.     He  persisted  in  these  efforts,  until  five 
horses  had  been  shot  under  him,  and  every  one  of  his  officers  on 
horseback,  except  colonel  Washington,  was  either   killed  or 
wounded. 

19.  The  general  at  length  fell,  and  the  rout  became  universal. 
The  troops  fled  precipitately  until  they  met  the  division  under 
Dunbar,  then  sixty  miles  in  the  rear.     To  this  bpdy  the  same 
panic  was  communicated.     Turning  about,  they  fled  with  the 
rest,  and  although  no  enemy  had  been  seen  during  the  engage 
ment,  nor  afterwards,  yet  the  army  continued  retreating  until  it 
reached  fort  Cumberland,  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  from 
the  place  of  action.     There  they  remained  but  a  short  time. 
With  the  remnant  of  the  army,  amounting  to  fifteen  hundred 
men,  colonel  Dunbar,  upon  whom,  on  the  death  of  Braddock, 
the  command  devolved,  marched  to  Philadelphia,  leaving  the 
frontiers  of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  destitute  of  defence. 

20.  The  provincial  troops,  whom  Braddock  had  so  much 
despised,  displayed,  during  the  battle,  the  utmost  calmness  and 
courage.     Though  placed  in  the  rear,  they  alone,  led  on  by 
Washington,  advanced  against  the  Indians  and  covered  the  re 
treat.     Had  they  been  permitted  to  fight  in  their  own  way,  they 
could  easily  have  defeated  the  enemy.     In  this  battle,  sixty-four, 
out  of  eighty-five  officers,  were  either  killed  or  wounded,  and 
at  least  one  half  of  the  privates. 

21.  The  two  northern  expeditions,  though  not  so  disastrous, 
were  both  unsuccessful.     General  Shirley,  who  had  been  ap 
pointed  to  command  that  against  Niagara,  met  with  so  many 
delays  that  he  did  not  reach  Oswego  until  late  in  August. 
While  embarking  there  to  proceed  against  Niagara,  the  autumnal 
rains  began,  his  troops  became  discouraged,  his  Indian  allies 
deserted  him,  and  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  his  design. 

22.  The  forces  destined  to  attack  Crown  Point,  and  the  re 
quisite  military  stores,  could  not  be  collected  at  Albany  until  the 
last  of  August.     Thence  the  army,  under  the  command  of 
general  Johnson,  proceeded  to  the  south  end  of  lake  George,  on 
their  way  to  the  place  of  destination.     There  he  learned,  thai 
the  armament,  fitted  out  in  the  po?ts  of  France,  eluding  th« 


108  FRENCH  VVAR  OF  1756—63.  [1755. 

English  squadron,  had  arrived  s,t  Quebec,  and  that  baron 
Dieskau,  commander  of  the  French  forces,  was  advancing  with 
an  army  towards  the  territories  of  the  English.  He  halted , 
erected  slight  breastworks,  and  detached  colonel  Williams  with 
a  thousand  men,  to  impede  the  progress  of  the  enemy. 

23.  Dieskau,  who  was  near,  was  immediately  informed  of  the 
approach  of  this  detachment.     Without  losing  a  moment,  he 
directed  his  troops  to  conceal  themselves.     The  English  ad 
vanced   into  the  midst  of  their  enemy,  and,  from  every  quarter, 
received,  at  the  same  moment,  a  sudden  and  unexpected  fire. 
Their  leader  fell,  and  the  men  fled,  in  disorder,  to  the  camp. 

24.  They  were  followed  closely  by  the  enemy,  who  approached 
within  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  the  breast-work  :  and,  had 
they  made  an  immediate  assault,  would  probably,  such  was  the 
panic  of  the  English,  have  been  successful.     But  here  they 
halted,  to  make  dispositions  for  a  regular  attack.     The  Indians 
arid  Canadians  were  despatched  to  the  flanks,  and  the  regular 
troops  began  the  attack  with  firing,  by  platoons,  at  the  centre 
Their  fire  was  ineffectual,  and  the  provincials  gradually  resumed 
their  courage. 

25.  A  few  discharges  of  the  artillery  drove  the  Canadians  and 
Indians  to  the  swamps.     The  regulars,  although  deserted  by  the 
auxiliaries,  maintained  the  conflict,  for  more  than  an  hour,  with 
much  steadiness  and  resolution.     Dieskau,  convinced  that  all 
his  efforts  must  be  unavailing,  then  gave  orders  to  retreat.    This 
produced   some  confusion,   which,    being    perceived    by    the 
provincials,  they  simultaneously,  and  without  orders  or  concert, 
leaped  over  the  intrenchments,  fell  upon  the  French  soldiers, 
and  killed,   captured,   or    dispersed   them.      The  baron  was 
wounded  and  made  prisoner. 

26.  The  next  day,  oolonel  Blanchard,  who  commanded  at  fort 
Kdward,  despatched  captain  Folsom,  of  New-Hampshire,  with 
two  hundred  men,  to  the  assistance  of  general  Johnson.     On 
his  way,  he  discovered  between  three  and  four  hundred  of  the 
enemy  seated  around  a  pond,  not  far  from  the  place  where 
colonel  Williams  had  been  defeated.     Notwithstanding  his  in 
feriority  in  numbers,  he  determined  to  attack  them.     So  impe- 
taous  was  the  onset,  that,  after  a  sharp  conflict,  the  enemy  fled. 
]  n  the  several  engagements,  the  provincials  lost  about  two  hundred 
men  ;  the  enemy  upwards  of  seven  hundred. 

27.  General  Johnson,  though  strongly  importuned  by  the 
government  of  Massachusetts,  refused  to  proceed  upon  his  ex 
pedition,  which  was  abandoned,  and  most  of  his  troops  returned 
lo  th^ir  respective  colonies.    Thus  ended  the  campaign  of  1755. 


1756.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756-63  109 

It  opened  with  the  brightest  prospects,  immense  preparations 
had  been  made,  yet  not  one  of  the  objects  of  the  three  great  ex 
peditions  had  been  attained. 

28.  During  the  fall  and  winter,  the  southern  colonies  were 
ravaged,  and  the  usual  barbarities  perpetrated  upon  the  frontier 
inhabitants,  by  (he  savages,  who,  on  the  defeat  of  Braddock,  and 
the  retreat  of  his  army,  saw  nothing  to  restrain  their  fury.     In 
Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  disputes  existed  between  the  govern 
ors  and  legislatures,  which  prevented  all  attention  to  the  means 
of  defence.     Scarcely  a  post  was  maintained,  or  a  soldier  em 
ployed  in  their  service. 

29.  The  colonies,  far  from  being  discouraged  by  the  misfor 
tunes  of  the  last  campaign,  determined  to  renew  and  increase 
their  exertions.     General  Shirley,  to  whom  the  superintendence 
of  all  the  military  operations  had  been  confided,  assembled  a 
council  of  war  at  New- York,  to  concert  a  plan  for  the  ensuing 
year.     He  proposed  that  expeditions  should  be  earned  on  against 
Du  Quesne,   Niagara,  and  Crown  Point,  and  that  a  body  of 
troops  should  be  sent,  by  the  way  of  the  rivers  Kennebec  and 
Chaudiere,  to  alarm  the  French  for  the  safety  of  Quebec.   This 
plan  was  unanimously  adopted  by  the  council. 

30.  Shirley,  oh  the  last  of  January,  returned  to  Boston,  to 
meet  the  assembly  of  Massachusetts,  of  which  colony  he  was 
governor.     He  endeavored  to  persuade  them  to  concur  in  the 
measures  proposed  ;  but,  disgusted  with  the  proceedings  of  the 
last  campaign,  and  especially  at  general  Johnson's  neglecting  to 
pursue  his  advantages,  they  were  unwilling  to  engage  in  offen 
sive  operations,  unless  the  command  of  their  forces  should  be 
given  to  general  Winslow,  who  had  acquired  popularity  by  his 
success  in  Nova-Scotia.     Their  wishes  were  complied  with, 
and  their  concurrence  was  then  granted. 

31.  In  April,  news  arrived  from  Great  Britain,  that  the  con 
duct  of  general  Johnson,  instead  of  being  censured,  was  consi 
dered  highly  meritorious  ;  that,  as  a  reward  for  his  success,  the 
king  had  conferred  upon  him  the  title  of  baronet,  and  parliament 
a  grant  of  five  thousand  pounds  sterling ;  that  his  majesty  dis 
approved  of  the  conduct  of  Shirley,  and  had  determined  to  re 
move  him  from  command. 

32.  This  information  not  being  official,  general  Shirley  con 
tinued  his  preparations  with  his  usual  activity  and  zeal.     While 
engaged  in  collecting,  at  Albany,  the  troops  from  the  different 
colonies,  general  Webb  brought  from  England  official  informa 
tion  of  his  removal.     On  the  25th  of  June,  general  Abercrom- 
bie  arrived,  and  took  command  of  the  army.     It  now  consisted 
of  about  twelve  thousand  men,  and  was  more  numerous  and  bet  - 


110  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756-63.  [1756. 

ter  prepared  for  the  field  than  any  army  that  had  ever  been  as 
sembled  in  America. 

33.  Singular  as  it  may  appear,  while  this  sanguinary  war  ra 
ged  in  America,  the  intercourse  between  the  two  nations  in  Eu 
rope,  not  only  continued  uninterrupted,  but  seemed  more  than 
usually  friendly.     This  unnatural  state  of  things  could  not  long 
continue.     Great  Britain  declared  war  in  May,  and  France  iu 
June. 

34.  The  change  of  commanders  delayed  the  operations  of  the 
English  army.     The  French  were  active  ;  and  on  the  12th  oi; 
July,  general  Abercrombie  received  intelligence  that  they  medi 
tated  an  attack  upon  Oswego,  a  post  of  the  utmost  importance. 
General  Webb  was  ordered  to  prepare  to  march  with  a  regiment 
for  the  defence  of  that  place.     In  the  mean  time,  Lord  Loudon, 
who  had  been  appointed  commander-in-chief  ^ver  all  the  Bri 
tish  forces  in  the  colonies,  arrived  in  jim^^, 

35.  Amidst  the  ceremonies  which  followed,  the  affairs  of  the 
war  were  forgotten.     General  Webb  did  not  begin  his  march 
until  the  12th  of  August.     Before  he  had  proceeded  far,  he 
learned  that  Oswego  was  actually  besieged  by  a  large  army  of 
French  and  Indians.     Alarmed  for  his  own  safety,  he  proceed 
ed  no  farther,  but  employed  his  troops  in  erecting  fortifications 
for  their  defence. 

36.  General  Montcalm,  the  commander  of  the  French  troops 
in  Canada,  began  the  siege  of  Oswego  on  the  12th  of  August. 
On  the  14th,  the  English  commander  having  been  killed,  terms 
of  surrender  were  proposed  by  the  garrison,  and  were  agreed  to. 
These  terms  were  shamefully  violated.     Several  of  the  British 
officers  and  soldiers  were  insulted,  robbed,  and  massacred  by  the 
Indians.     Most  of  the  sick  were  scalped  in  the  hospitals,  and 
the  French  general  delivered  twenty  of  the  garrison  to  the  sa- 

*ages,  that  being  the  number  they  had  lost  during  the  siege. 
Those  unhappy  wretches  were,  doubtless,  according  to  the  In 
dian  custom,  tortured  and  burnt. 

37.  General  Wrebb  was  permitted  to  retreat,  unmolested,  to 
Albany.     Lord  Loudon  pretended  it  was  now  too  late  in  the 
reason  to  attempt  any  thing  farther,  though  the  troops  under  ge 
neral  Winslow  were  within  a  few  days  march  of  Ticonderoga 
and  Crown  Point,  and  were  sufficient  in  number  to  justify  an  at 
tack  upon  those  places.     He  devoted  the  remainder  of  the  sea 
son  to  making  preparations  for  an  early  and  vigorous  campaign 
the  ensuing  year. 

38.  This  spring  had  opened  with  still  more  brilliant  pros 
pects  than  the  last ;  arid  the  season  closed  without  the  occurrence 
of  a  .single  ftrpM  that  was  honourable  to  the  British  arms,  or  a^ 


1757.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756-63.  Ill 

vantageous  to  the  colonies.  This  want  of  success  was  justly  at 
tributed  to  the  removal  of  the  provincial  officers,  who  were  well 
acquainted  with  the  theatre  of  operations,  but  whom  the  minis 
try,  desirous  of  checking  the  growth  of  talents  in  the  colonies, 
were  unwilling  to  employ.  Yet  the  several  assemblies,  though 
they  saw  themselves  thus  slighted,  and  their  money  annually 
squandered,  made  all  the  preparations  that  were  required  of  them 
for  the  next  campaign. 

39.  The  reduction  of  Louisburgh  was  the  object  to  which  the 
ministry  directed  the  attention  of  Lord  Loudon.     In  the  spring 
of  1757,  he  sailed  from  New- York,  with  6000  men,  and,  at  Ha 
lifax,  met   admiral   Holbourn,  with  transports  containing  an 
equal  number  of  troops,  and  a  naval  force  consisting  of  fifteen 
ships  of  the  line.     When  about  to  proceed  to  their  place  of  des 
tination,  intelligence  arrived  that  the  garrison  at  Louisburgh  had 
received  a  large  reinforcement,  and  expected  and  desired  a  visit 
from  the  English.     Disheartened  by  this  intelligence,  the  gene 
ral  and  admiral  abandoned  the  expedition. 

40.  While  the  English  commanders  were  thus  irresolute  and 
idle,  the  French  were  enterprising  and  active.     In  March,  ge 
neral  Montcalm  made  an  attempt  to  surprise  fort  William  Hen 
ry,  at  the  south  end  of  lake  George,  but  was  defeated  by  the  vi 
gilance  and  bravery  of  the  garrison.     He  returned  to  Crown 
Point,  leaving  a  party  of  troops  at  Ticonderoga.     Against  this 
post,  near  four  hundred  men  were  sent  from  the  fort,  under  the 
command  of  colonel  Parker. 

41.  The  colonel  was  deceived  in  his  intelligence,  decoyed  in 
to  an  ambuscade,  and  attacked  with  such  fury,  that  but  two  offi 
cers  and  seventy  privates  escaped.     Encouraged  by  this  success, 
Montcalm  determined  to  return  and  besiege  fort  William  Hen 
ry.     For  this  purpose,  he  assembled  an  army,  consisting  of  re 
gular  troops,  Canadians  and  Indians,  and  amounting  to  near  ten 
thousand  men. 

42.  Major  Putnam,  a  brave  and  active  partizan,  obtained  in 
formation  of  the  purposes  of  Montcalm,  which  he  communicated 
to  general  Webb,  who,  in  the  absence  of  lord  Loudon,  com 
manded  the  British  troops  in  that  quarter.     The  general  enjoin* 
Rd  silence  upon  Putnam,  and  adopted  no  other  measure,  on  re 
ceiving  the  intelligence,  than  sending  colonel  Monro  to  take 
command  of  the  fort. 

43.  The  day  after  this  officer,  ignorant  of  what  was  to  hap 
pen,  had  arrived  at  his  post,  the  lake  appeared  covered  with 
boats,  which  swiftly  approached  the  shore.      Montcalm,  with 
but  little  opposition,  effected  a  landing,  and  immediately  began 


112  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756-63.  [1757 

the  siege.  The  garrison,  consisting  of  two  thousand  five  hun 
dred  men,  animated  by  the  expectation  of  relief,  made  a  gallan 
defence. 

44.  General  Webb  had  an  arni}^  at  fort  Edward,  of  more  than 
four  thousand  men,  and  it  was  in  his  power  to  call  in  a  large 
number  of  provincial  troops  from  New- York  and  New- England. 
To  him  colonel  Monro  sent  repeated  and  pressing  solicitations 
for  immediate  succor.     These  he  disregarded,  seeming  entirely 
indifferent  to  the  distressing  situation  of  his  fellow  soldiers. 

45.  At  length,  on  the  ninth  day  of  the  siege,  in  compliance 
with  the  entreaties  of  the  friends  of  Monro,  general  Webb  de 
spatched  sir  William  Johnson,  with  a  body  of  men,  to  his  relief. 
They  had  not  proceeded  three  miles,  when  the  order  was  coun 
termanded.     Webb  then  wrote  to  Monro  that  he  could  afford 
him  no  assistance,  and  advised  him  to  surrender  on  the  best 
terms  that  he  could  obtain. 

46.  This  letter  was  intercepted  by  Montcalm,  who,  in  a  con 
ference  which  he  procured,  handed  it  himself  to  the  commander 
of  the  fort.     All  hope  of  relief  being  extinguished,  articles  of 
capitulation  were  agreed  to.     In  these  it  was  expressly  stipula 
ted,  by  Montcalm,  that  the  prisoners  should  be  protected  from 
the  savages,  by  a  guard,  and  that  the  sick  and  wounded  should 
be  treated  with  humanity. 

47.  But  the  next  morning,  a  great  number  of  Indians,  having 
been  permitted  to  enter  the  lines,  began  to  plunder.     Meeting 
with  no  opposition,  they  fell  upon  the  sick  and  wounded,  whom 
they  immediately  massacred.     This  excited  their  appetite  for 
carnage.     The  defenceless  troops  were  surrounded  and  attacked 
with  fiend-like  fury.     Monro,  hastening  to  Montcalm,  implored 
him  to  provide  the  stipulated  guard. 

48.  His  entreaties  were  ineffectual,  and  the  massacre  pro 
ceeded.     All  was  turbulence  and  horror.     On  every  side,  sava 
ges  were  butchering  and  scalping  their  wretched  victims.  Their 
hideous  yells,  the  groans  of  the  dying,  and  the  frantic  shrieks  of 
others,  shrinking  from  the  uplifted  tomahawk,  were  heard  by 
the  French  unmoved.     The  fury  of  the  savages  was  permitted 
to  rage  without  restraint,  until  a  large  number  were  killed,  or 
hurried  captives  into  the  wilderness. 

49.  The  day  after  this  awful  tragedy,  major  Putnam  was 
sent,  with  his  rangers,  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy. 
When  he  came  to  the  shore  of  the  lake,  their  rear  was  hardly 
beyond  the  reach  of  musket  shot.     The  prospect  was  shocking 
and  horrid.      The  fort  was  demolished.      The  barracks  and 
buildings  were  yet  burning.     Innumerable  fragments  of  human 


1758.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756—63.  113 

carcasses  still  broiled  in  the  decaying  fires.  Dead  bodies, 
mangled  with  tomahawks  and  scalping  knives,  in  all  the  wanton 
ness  of  Indian  barbarity,  were  every  where  scattered  around. 

50.  General  Webb,  apprehensive  of  an  attack  upon  himself, 
sent  expresses  to  the  provinces  for  reinforcements.     They  were 
raised  and  despatched  with  expedition;  but  as  Montcalm  returned 
to  Ticonderoga,  they  were  kept  in  service  but  a  few  weeks. 
And  thus  ended  the  third  campaign  in  America. 

51.  These  continual  disasters  resulted  from  folly  and  mis 
management,  rather  than  from  want  of  means  and  military 
strength.     The  British  nation  was  alarmed  and  indignant,  and 
the  king  found  it  necessary  to  change  his  councils.     At  the  head 
of  the  new  ministry,  he  placed  the  celebrated  William  Pitt,  who 
rose,  by  the  force  of  his  talents  alone,  from  the  humble  post  of 
ensign  in  the  guards,  to  the  control  of  the  destinies  of  a  mighty 
empire.     Public   confidence  revived,  and  the  nation   seemed 
inspired  with  new  life  and  vigor. 

52.  For  the  next  campaign,  the  ministry  determined  upon 
three  expeditions  ;  one  of  twelve  thousand  men  against  Louis- 
burg  ;  one  of  sixteen  thousand  against  Ticonderoga  and  Crowu 
Point,  and  one  of  eight  thousand  against  fort  Du  Quesne.     The 
colonies  were  called  upon  to  render  all  the  assistance  in  their 
power.     Lord  London  having  been  recalled,  the  command  of 
the  expedition  against  Louisburg  was  given  to  general  Amherst, 
under  whom  general  Wolfe  served  as  a  brigadier.     The  place 
was  invested  on  the  12th  of  June.    Amherst  made  his  approaches 
with  much  circumspection ;  and,  without  any  memorable  incident, 
the  siege  terminated,  on  the  26th  of  July,  by  the  surrender  of 
the  place.     Whenever  an  opportunity  occurred,  general  Wolf, 
who  was  then  young,  displayed  all  that  fire,  impetuosity,  and 
discretion,  which  afterwards  immortalized  his  name. 

53.  The  expedition  against  Ticonderoga,  was  commanded  by 
general  Abercrombie.     He  was  accompanied  by  lord  Howe, 
whose  military  talents  and  amiable  virtues  made  him  the  darling 
of  the  soldiery.     This  army  consisted  of  seven  thousand  regular 
troops,  and  ten  thousand  provincials.     When  approaching  the 
fort,  a  skirmish  took  place  with  a  small  party  of  the  enemy,  in 
which  lord  Howe  was  killed  at  the  first  fire.     On  seeing  him 
fall,  the  troops  moved  forward  with  an  animated  determination 
to  avenge  his  death.     Three  hundred  of  the  enemy  were  killed 
on  the  spot,  and  one  hundred  and  forty  made  prisoners. 

54.  The  ardor  of  his  men,  and  the  intelligence  gained  from 
the  prisoners,  induced  general  Abercrombie  to  make  an  assault 
npon  the  works.     It  was  received  with  undaunted  bravery,  anti 

K2 


114  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756—63.  [1758, 

was  persevered  in  with  singular  obstinacy.  For  four  hours,  the 
troops  remained  before  the  walls,  attempting  to  scale  them,  and 
exposed  to  a  destructive  fire  of  musketry  and  artillery.  The 
general,  despairing  of  success,  then  directed  a  retreat.  Near 
two  thousand  of  the  assailants  were  killed  or  wounded.  The  loss 
of  the  French  was  not  great,  and  most  of  the  killed  were  shot 
through  the  head,  the  other  parts  of  their  bodies  being  protected 
by  their  works. 

55.  After  this  bloody  repulse,  Abercrombie  despatched  colonel 
Bradstreet,  with  three  thousand  men,  mostly  provincials,  against 
fort  Frontenac,  which  was  situated  on  lake  Ontario,  and  con 
tained  a  large  quantity  of  merchandise,  provisions,  and  military 
stores.     It  fell  an  easy  conquest,  and  the  loss  was  severely  felt 
by  the  French.     The  western  Indians,  not  receiving  their  usual 
supply  of  merchandise,  relaxed  in  their  exertions ;  and  the  troops 
at  Du  Quesne  suffered  from  the  want  of  the  provisions  and 
military  stores.     These  circumstances  contributed  essentially  to 
facilitate  the  operations  of  the  third  expedition. 

56.  This  was  placed  under  the  command  of  general  Forbes. 
He  left  Philadelphia  in  the  beginning  of  July,   and,  after  a 
laborious  march,  through  deep  morasses  and  over  unexplored 
mountains,  arrived  at  Raystown,  ninety  miles  from  Du  Quesne. 
An  advanced  party  of  eight  hundred  men,  under  the  command 
of  major  Grant,  was  met  by  a  detachment  from  the  fort,  and  de 
feated,  with  great  slaughter. 

57.  Forbes,  undismayed  by  this  disaster,  advanced  with  cau 
tious  and  steady  perseverance.     The  enemy,  observing  his  cir 
cumspection,  determined  not  to  abide  the  event  of  a  siege.  After 
dismantling  the  fort,  they  retired  down  the  Ohio,  to  their  settle 
ments  on  the  Mississippi.      General  Forbes,  taking  possession  of 
the  place,  changed  its  name  to  Pittsburgh. 

58.  The  campaign  of  1758,  was  highly  honorable  to  the  Bri 
tish  arms.     Of  the  three  expeditions,  two  had  completely  suc 
ceeded,  and  the  leader  of  the  third  had  made  an  important  con 
quest.     To  the  commanding  talents  of  Pitt,  and  the  confidence 
which  they  inspired,  this  change  of  fortune  must  be  attributed  ; 
and  in  no  respect  were  these  talents  more  strikingly  displayed, 
than  in  the  choice  of  men  to  execute  his  plans. 

59.  Encouraged  by  the  events  of  this  year,  the  English  anti 
cipated  still  greater  success  in  the  campaign  which  was  to  follow. 
The  plan  marked  out  by  the  minister,  wras  indicative  of  the  bold 
ness  and  energy  of  his  genius.     Three  different  armies  were, 
at  the  same  time,  to  be  led  against  the  three  strongest  posts  of 
the  French  in  America ;  Niagara,  Ticonderoga,  tand  Quebec. 


1759.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756—63.  115 

The  latter  post  was  considered  the  strongest ;  and  it  was  there 
fore  intended  that,  should  Ticonderoga  be  conquered,  the  victo 
rious  army  should  press  forward  to  assist  in  Us  reduction. 

60.  In  the  beginning  of  July,  general  Prideaux  embarked  on 
lake  Ontario,  with  the  army  destined  against  Niagara,  and,  on 
the  sixth,  landed  about  three  miles  from  the  fort.     He  imme 
diately  commenced  a  siege,  in  the  progress  of  which  he  was 
killed,  by  the  bursting  of  a  shell.     The  command  devolved  upon 
sir  William  Johnson.     An  army  of  French  and  Indians  ap 
proaching  soon  after,  he  detached  a  part  of  his  forces  to  meet 
them.     A  battle  ensued  ;  the  English  gained  the  victory,  which 
was  followed  by  the  surrender  of  the  fort. 

61.  General  Amherst,  to  whom  was  assigned  the  expedition 
against  Ticonderoga,  found  so  many  difficulties  to  surmount, 
that  he  was  unable  to  present  himself  before  that  place  until  late 
in  July.     It  was  immediately  abandoned  by  the  enemy.     The 
British  general,  after  repairing  the  works,  proceeded  against 
Crown  Point.     On  his  approach,  this  was  also  deserted,  the 
enemy  retiring  to  the  Isle  aux  Noix.     To  gain  possession  of  this 
post,  great  efforts  were  made,  and  much  time  consumed ;  but  a 
succession  of  storms  on  lake  Champlain,  prevented  success. 
General  Amherst  was  compelled  to  lead  back  his  army  to  Crown 
Point,  where  he  encamped  for  the  winter. 

62.  The  expedition  against  Quebec,  was  the  most  daring  and 
important.     That  place,  strong  by  nature,  had  been  made  still 
stronger  by  art,  and  had  received  the  appropriate  appellation  of 
the  Gibraltar  of  America.     Every  expedition  against  it  had 
failed.     It  was  now  commanded  by  Montcalm,  an  officer  of 
distinguished  reputation  ;  and  an  attempt  to  reduce  it  must  have 
ssemed  chimerical  to  any  one  but  Pitt.     He  judged,  rightly,  that 
the  boldest  and  most  dangerous  enterprises  are  often  the  most 
successful.     They  arouse  the  energies  of  man,  and  elevate  them 
to  a  level  with  the  dangers  and  difficulties  to  be  encountered, 
especially    when   committed  to  ardent   minds,   glowing  with 
enthusiasm,  and  emulous  of  glory. 

63.  Such  a  mind  he  had  discovered  in  general  Wolfe,  whose 
conduct  at  Louisburgh  had  attracted  his  attention.    He  appointed 
him  to  conduct  the  expedition,   and  gave  him   for  assistants, 
brigadier  generals  Moncton,  Townshend,  and  Murray ;  all,  like 
himself,  young  and  ardent.     Early  in  the  season,  he  sailed  from 
Halifax,  with  eight  thousand  troops,  and,  near  the  last  of  June, 
landed  the  whole  army  on  the  island  of  Orleans,  a  few  miles  be 
low  Quebec. 

64.  From  this  position  he  could  take  a  near  and  distinct  view 
of  the  obstacles  to  be  overcome.     These  were  FO  ^reat.  that  even 


116  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756—63.  [1759. 

the  bold  and  sanguine  Wolfe  perceived  more  to  fear  than  to 
hope.  In  a  letter  to  Mr.  Pitt,  written  before  commencing 
operations,  he  declared  that  he  saw  but  little  prospect  of  redu 
cing-  the  place. 

65.  Quebec  stands  on  the  north  side  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and 
consists  of  an  upper  and  lower  town.     The  lower  town  lies 
between  the  river  and  a  bold  and  lofty  eminence,  which  runs 
parallel  to  it,  far  to  the  westward.     At  the  top  of  this  eminence 
is  a  plain,  upon  which  the  upper  town  is  situated.     Below,  or 
east  of  the  city,  is  the  river  St.  Charles,  wThose  channel  is  rough, 
and   whose   banks  are  steep  and  broken.     A  short  distance 
farther  down,  is  the  river  Montmorency;  and  between  these  two 
rivers,  and  reaching  from  one  to  the  other,  was  encamped  the 
French  army,  strongly  entrenched  and  at  least  equal  in  number 
to  that  of  the  English. 

66.  General  Wolfe  took  possession  of  Point  Levi,  on  the  bank 
of  the  river  opposite  Quebec,  and  from  that  position  cannonaded 
the  town.     Some  injury  was  done  to  the  houses,  but  his  cannon 
were  too  distant  to  make  any  impression  upon  the  works  of  the 
enemy.     He  resolved  to  quit  this  post,  to  land  below  Montmo 
rency,  and  passing  that  river,  to  attack  the  French  general  in  his 
entrenchments. 

67.  He  succeeded  in  landing  his  troops,  and,  with  a  portion 
of  his  army,  crossed  the  Montmorency.     A  partial  engagement 
took  place,  in  which  the  French  obtained  the  advantage.     Re 
linquishing  this  plan,  he  then  determined,  in  concert  with  the^ 
admiral,  to  destroy  the  French  shipping  and  magazines.     Two 
attempts  were  unsuccessful ;  a  third  was  more  fortunate,  yet  but 
little  was  effected.     At  this  juncture,  intelligence  arrived  that 
Niagara  was  taken,  that  Ticonderoga  and  Crown  Point  had  been 
abandoned,  but  that  general  Amherst,  instead  of  pressing  forward 
to  their  assistance,  was  preparing  to  attack  the  Isle  aux  Noix. 

68.  Wolfe  rejoiced  at  the  triumph  of  his  brethren  in  arms,  but 
could  not  avoid  contrasting  their  success  writh  his  own  ill  fortune. 
His  mind,  alike  lofty  and  susceptible,  was  deeply  impressed  by 
the  disasters  at  Montmorency  ;  and  the  extreme  chagrin  of  his 
spirits,  preying  upon  his  delicate  frame,  sensibly  affected  his 
health.     He  was  observed  frequently  to  sigh ;  and,  as  if  life  was 
only  valuable  while  it  added  to  his  glory,  he  declared  to  his  in 
timate  friends,  that  he  would  not  survive  the  disgrace  which  he 
imagined  would  attend  the  failure  of  his  enterprise. 

69.  Despairing  of  success  below  the  town,  he  next  directed 
his  efforts  towards  effecting  a  landing  above  it.     He  removed  a 
part  of  his  army  to  Point  Levi,  and  the  remainder  higher  up  the 
river.     He  now  found  that,  on  this  quarter,  the  fortifications 


1759.]  FRENCH  WAR  OF  1756—63.  117 

were  not  strong ;  and  discovered  that  the  heights  behind  them 
might  possibly  be  gained,  by  ascending  the  precipice  in  a  narrow 
path,  which  was  defended  only  by  a  captain's  guard. 

70.  The  difficulties  attending  this  enterprise  were  numerous. 
The  current  was  rapid,  the  shore  shelving,  the  only  landing 
place  so  narrow  that  it  might  easily  be  missed  in  the  dark,  and 
the  steep  above,  such  as  troops,  even  when  unopposed,  could 
not  ascend  without  difficulty.     Yet  the  plan,  though  bold  and 
hazardous,  was  well  adapted  to  the  desperate  situation  of  affairs, 
and  was  determined  on. 

71.  To  conceal  their  intention,  the  admiral  retired  several 
leagues  up  the  river.     During  the  evening,  a  strong  detach 
ment  was  put  on  board  the  boats,  and  moved  silently  down  with 
the  tide,  to  the  place  of  landing,  where  they  arrived  an  hour  be 
fore  day  break.     Wolfe  leaped  on  shore,  was  followed  by  the 
troops,  and  all  instantly  began,  with  the  assistance  of  shrubs  and 
projecting  rocks,  to  climb  up  the  precipice.     The  guard  was 
dispersed,  and,  by  the  dawn  of  day,  the  whole  army  gained  the 
heights  of  Abraham,  where  the  different  corps  were  formed  un 
der  their  respective  leaders. 

72.  Montcalm,  at  first,  could  not  believe  that  the  English  had 
ascended  the  heights.     When  convinced  of  the  fact,  he  compre 
hended  the  full  advantage  they  had  gained.    He  saw  that  a  battle 
was  inevitable,  and  prepared  for  it  with  promptness  and  courage. 
Leaving  his  camp  at  Montmorency,  he  advanced  towards  the  Eng 
lish  army,  which  was  formed  in  order  of  battle  to  receive  him. 

73.  The  French  advanced  briskly.      The  English  reserved 
their  fire  until  the  enemy  were  near,  and  then  gave  it  with  deci 
sive  effect.     Early  in  the  engagement,  Wolfe  was  wounded  in 
the  wrist,  but,  preserving  his  composure,  he  continued  to  encou 
rage  his  troops.     Soon  after,  he  received  a  shot  in  the  groin. 
This  painful  wound  he  also  concealed,  placed  himself  at  the 
Iiead  of  the  grenadiers,  and  was  leading  them  to  the  charge,  when 
he  received  a  third  and  mortal  wound. 

74.  Undismayed  by  the  fall  of  then-  general,  the  English  con 
tinued  their  exertions  under  Moncton,  who,  in  a  short  time,  was 
himself  wounded,  and  the  command  devolved  upon  Townshend. 
About  the  same  time,  Montcalm  received  a  mortal  wound,  and 
the  second  in  command  also  fell.     The  left  wing  and  centre  of 
the  French  gave  way.     Part  were  driven  into  Quebec,  and  part 
over  the  river  St.  Charles. 

75.  On  receiving  his  mortal  wound,  Wolfe  was  conveyed  into 
the  rear,  where,  careless  about  himself,  he  discovered,  in  the 
agonies  of  death,  the  most  anxious  solicitude  concerning  the  fate 
of  the  day.     From  extreme  faintness,  he  had  reclined  his  head 


118  REVOLUTION. 

on  the  arm  of  an  officer,  but  was  soon  aroused  by  the  cry  of, 
"  they  fly,  they  fly."  "  Who  fly  ?"  exclaimed  the  dying  hero. 
"  The  French,"  answered  his  attendant.  "  Then,"  said  he, 
"  I  die  contented,"  and  immediately  expired.  A  death  so  glo 
rious,  and  attended  by  circumstances  so  interesting,  has  seldom 
been  recorded  in  history." 

76.  Five  days  after  the  battle,  the  city  surrendered,  and  re 
ceived  an  English  garrison.     The  French  concentrated  their 
remaining  forces  at  Montreal,  and,  early  in  the  spring,  made  at 
tempts  to  regain  possession  of  Quebec.     Unsuccessful  in  these, 
they  returned  to  Montreal,  towards  which  the  whole  British  force 
in  America,  under  the  command  of  general  Amherst,  was  ap 
proaching.     This  force  was  too  strong  to  be  resisted.     In  Sep 
tember,  1760,  that  city  surrendered,  and  soon  after  all  the 
French  posts  in  Canada  fell  into  the  power  of  the  English. 

77.  In  the  other  parts  of  the  world,  their  arms  were  equally 
successful ;  and,  at  the  commencement  of  1763,  a  peace,  highly- 
advantageous  to  their  interests,  was  concluded  at  Paris.    By  the 
treaty,  France  ceded  to  Great  Britain  all  her  northern  settle 
ments  in  America,  which  relieved  the  colonies  from  the  conti 
nual  dread  of  savage  incursions. 


CHAPTER  XT. 
REVOLUTION 


IN  the  late  brilliant  contest,  England  had  made  unprecedent 
ed  exertions.  At  its  close,  she  found  that,  though  she  had  en 
circled  her  name  with  glory,  and  added  extensive  territories  to 
her  empire,  she  had  increased,  in  proportion,  the  burdens  of  her 
subjects,  having  added  three  hundred  and  twenty  millions  of  dol 
iars  to  the  amount  of  her  debt.  To  find  the  means  of  defraying 
the  annual  charges  of  this  debt,  and  her  other  increased  expen 
ditures,  was  the  first  and  difficult  task  of  her  legislators. 

2.  Regard  for  their  own  interest  and  popularity  impelled 
them  to  avoid,  if  possible,  imposing  the  whole  burden  upon 
themselves  and  their  fellow  subjects  at  home  ;  and  their  thoughts 
were  turned  to  the  colonies,  as  the  source  whence  alleviation 
sod  assistance  might  be  derived.  On  their  account,  it  was  at 


1764.]  REVOLUTION.  119 

leged,  the  contest  had  been  waged  ;  they  would  share  the  advan 
tages  of  its  glorious  termination,  and  justice  required  that  they 
should  also  defray  a  portion  of  the  expenses. 

3.  To  adopt  this  expedient,  the  British  ministry  were  the 
more  naturally  led  by  the  opinion  which  all  the  European  go 
vernments  entertained  of  the  relation  between  the  mother  coun 
try  and  her  colonies.     They  were  supposed  to  be  dependent  on 
her  will ;  their  inhabitants  a  distinct  and  subordinate  class  of  sub 
'ects,  and  their  interests  entirely  subservient  to  her  aggrandize 
ment  and  prosperitj'. 

4.  Acting  upon  these  principles,  Great  Britain  had,  by  her 
faws  of  trade  and  navigation,  confined  the  commerce  of  the 
colonies  almost  wholly  to  herself.     To  encourage  her  own  arti 
sans,  she  had  even,  in  some  cases,  prohibited  the  establishment 
of  manufactories  in  America.     These  restrictions,  while  they 
increased  her  revenue  and  wealth,  greatly  diminished  the  profits 
of  the  trade  of  the  colonies,  and  sensibly  impeded  their  internal 
prosperity.     They  were  most  injurious  to  New-England,  where 
the  sterility  of  the  soil  repelled  the  people  from  the  pursuits  of 
agriculture  ;  there  they  were  most  frequently  violated,  and  there 
the  arbitrary  mode  of  enforcing  them,  by  writs  of  assistance, 
awakened  the  attention  of  a  proud  arid  jealous  people  to  their 
natural  rights,  to  their  rights  as   English  subjects,  and  to  the 
rights  granted  and  secured  by  their  charters. 

5.  In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1764,  the  British  parliament 
enacted  a  law  imposing  duties  upon  certain  articles  of  merchan 
dise,  to  be  paid  in  the  colonial  ports.     Mr.  Grenville,  the  prime 
minister,  also  proposed  a  resolution,  "  that  it  would  be  proper 
to  charge  certain  stamp  duties  on  the  colonies,"  but  postponed 
the  consideration  of  that  subject  to  a  future  session.     As  it  was 
foreseen  that  the  law  would  be  disregarded,  if  extraordinary 
measures  were  not  adopted  to  enforce  it,  provision  was  made 
that  all  penalties  for  violations  of  it,  and  of  all  other  revenue 
laws,  might  be  recovered  in  the  admiralty  courts.     The  judges 
of  these  courts  were  dependent  solely  on  the  king,  and  decided 
the  causes  brought  before  them,  without  the  intervention  of  a 
mry. 

6.  Intelligence  of  these  proceedings  occasioned,  in  America, 
great  and  universal  alarm.     They  wrere  considered  the  com 
mencement  of  a  system  of  taxation,  which,  if  not  vigorously  re 
sisted,  would,  in  time,  be  extended  to  every  article  of  commerce, 
and  to  every  internal  source  of  income  ;  and  if  the  colonists 
could  be  deprived  in  one  class  of  causes,  why  not  in  all,  of  that 
inestimable  privilege,  the  trial  by  jury  ? 

7.  The  general  court  nf  Massachusetts,  at  their  session  in 


120  REVOLUTION.  [1764. 

June,  took  this  law  into  consideration.  The  house  of  represen 
tatives  sent  a  spirited  letter  of  instructions  to  their  agent,  in 
England,  in  which  they  denied  the  right  of  parliament  to  impose 
duties  and  taxes  upon  the  people  not  represented  in  the  house  of 
commons ;  and  directed  him  to  remonstrate  against  the  duties 
imposed,  and  the  stamp  act  in  contemplation.  They  also  ac 
quainted  the  other  colonies  with  the  instructions  they  had  given 
to  their  agent,  and  desired  their  concurrence  in  the  mode  of  op 
position  adopted.  In  the  course  of  the  year,  several  other  colo 
nies,  particularly  New- York  and  Virginia,  remonstrated  in  re 
spectful,  but  decided  terms,  against  the  proceedings  of  parlia 
ment. 

8.  In  these  several  state  papers,  the  right  of  Great  Britain  to 
collect  a  tax  in  the  colonies,  was  explicitly  denied ;  and  the  de 
nial  was  supported  by  clear  and  powerful  arguments.     It  was 
stated  that  the  first  emigrants  came  to  America  with  the  un 
doubted  consent  of  the  mother  country ;  that  all  the  expenses  of 
removal,  of  purchasing  the  territory,  and,  for  a  long  time,  of 
protection  from  savage  warfare,  were  defrayed  by  private  indi 
viduals,  except  in  the  single  instance  of  the  settlement  of  Geor 
gia  :  that  charters,  under  the  great  seal,  were  given  to  the  emi 
grants,  imparting  and  securing  to  them  and  to  their  descend 
ants,  all  the  rights  of  natural  born  English  subjects ;  that  of 
these  rights,  none  was  more  indisputable,  and  none  more  highly 
valued,  than  that  no  subject  could  be  deprived  of  his  property 
but  by  his  own  consent,  expressed  in  person  or  by  his  represen 
tative  ;  that  taxes  were  but  grants,  by  the  representative,  of  a 
portion  of  his  own  property,  and  of  that  of  those  who  had  au 
thorized  him  to  act  in  their  behalf.     Could  it  be  just,  -it  was 
asked,  that  the  representatives  of  Englishmen  should  "  give  and 
grant"  the  property  of  Americans  ?     With  what  safety  to  the 
colonies,  could  the  right  of  taxing  them  be  confided  to  a  body  of 
men  three  thousand  miles  distant,  over  whom  they  had  no  con 
trol,  none  of  whom  could  be  acquainted  with  their  situation  or 
resources,  and  whose  interests  would  impel  them  to  make  the 
burdens  of  the  colonists  heavy,  that  their  own  might  be  light  ? 

9.  But,  besides  infringing  the  rights  of  freemen,  the  measure 
was  neither  equitable  nor  generous.     The  colonies  had  domes 
tic  governments  which  they  alone  supported ;  in  the  late  war, 
their  exertions  had  been  greater,  in  proportion  to  their  ability, 
than  those  of  England ;  they  also  had  contracted  debts  which 
they  must  themselves  pay ;  the  taxes  laid  by  many  of  the  assem 
blies,  were  higher  than  those  paid  by  the  inhabitants  of  England ; 
if  the  war  had  been  waged  on  their  account,  it  was  because,  as 
coloaies,  they  were  beneficial  to  the  mother  country :  and  from 


1765.]  REVOLUTION.  121 

its  happy  termination,  they  derived  no  advantage  which  was  not 
the  source  of  ultimate  profit  to  her. 

10.  Upon  men  who  entertained  the  strictest  notions  of  colo 
nial  dependence,  arid  parliamentary  supremacy,  these  arguments 
had  little  effect.     The  minister  was  not  diverted  from  his  pur 
pose.  In  March,  1765,  he  laid  before  parliament  a  bill,  imposing 
stamp  duties  on  certain  papers  and  documents  used  in  the  colo 
nies.     At  the  first  reading,  it  was  warmly  opposed ;  by  some 
because  it  was  impolitic,  by  two  only  because  it  was  a  violation 
of  right. 

11.  The  bill  was  supported  by  Charles  To wnshend,  a  bril 
liant  orator,  on  the  side  of  the  ministry.     At  the  conclusion  of 
an  animated  speech,  he  demanded  :    "  And  these  Americans, 
children  planted  by  our  care,  nourished  by  our  indulgence,  pro 
tected  by  our  arms,  until  they  are  grown  to  a  good  degree  of 
strength  and  opulence,  will  they  grudge  to  contribute  their  mite 
to  relieve  us  from  the  heavy  load  of  national  expense  which  we 
lie  under?" 

12.  Colonel  Barre,  immediately  rising,  indignantly  and  elo 
quently  exclaimed :    "  Children  planted  by  your  care!     No, 
Your  oppressions  planted  them  in  America.     They  fled  from 
your  tyranny  into  a  then  uncultivated  land,  where  they  were 
exposed  to  all  the  hardships  to  which  human  nature  is  liable ; 
and  among  others,  to  the  cruelties  of  a  savage  foe,  the  most  sub 
tle,  and  I  will  take  upon  me  to  say,  the  most  terrible,  that  ever 
inhabited  any  part  of  God's  earth.     And  yet,  actuated  by  prin 
ciples  of  true  English  liberty,  they  met  all  these  hardships  with 
pleasure,  when  they  compared  them  with  those  they  suffered  in 
their  own  country,  from  men  who  should  have  been  their  friends. 

13.  "  TJiey  nourished  by  your  indulgence  !    No.    They  grew 
by  your  neglect.     When  you  began  to  care  about  them,  that  care 
was  exercised  in  sending  persons  to  rule  over  them,  who  were 
the  deputies  of  some  deputy  sent  to  spy  out  their  liberty,  to  mis 
represent  their  actions,  and  to  prey  upon  them  ;  whose  beha 
vior,  on  many  occasions,  has  caused  the  blood  of  those  sons  of 
liberty  to  recoil  within  them  ;  men  promoted  to  the  highest  seats 
of  justice,  some  of  whom  were  glad,  by  going  to  a  foreign  coun 
try,  to  escape  being  brought  to  the  bar  of  justice  in  their  own. 

14.  "  TJiey  protected  by  your  arms!     They  have  nobly  taken 
up  arms  in  your  defence.     They  have  exerted  their  valor,  amidst 
their  constant  and  laborious  industry,  for  the  defence  of  a  coun 
try  which,  while  its  frontier  was  drenched  in  blood,  has  yielded 
all  its  little  savings  to  your  emolument.     Believe  me,  and  re 
member  J  thig  day  told  you  so,  the  same  spirit  which  actuated 

A«  V 


122  REVOLUTION.  [1765 

that  people  at  first,  still  continues  with  them  ;  but  prudence  for 
bids  me  to  explain  myself  farther. 

15.  "  God  knows  I  do  not  at  this  time  speak  from  party  heat. 
However  superior  to  me  in  general  knowledge  and  experience, 
any  one  here  may  be,  I  claim  to  know  more  of  America,  having 
been  conversant  in  that  country.     The  people  there  are  as  truly 
loyal  as  any  subjects  the  king  has  ;  but  they  are  a  people  jealous 
of  their  liberties,  and  will  vindicate  them  if  they  should  be  vio 
lated.     But  the  subject  is  delicate  ;  I  will  say  no  more." 

16.  Eloquence  and  argument  availed  nothing.     The  bill  wag 
almost  unanimously  passed.     The  night  after,  Doctor  Franklin, 
then  in  England  as  agent  for  Pennsylvania,  wrote  to  Charles 
Thompson  :  "  The  sun  of  liberty  is  set  ;  you  must  light  up  the 
candles  of  industry  and  economy."     "  Be  assured,"   said  Mr. 
Thompson,  in  reply,  "  that  we  shall  light  up  torches  of  quite 
an  other  sort ;"  thus  predicting  the  commotions  which  followed. 

17.  The  act  provided  that  all  contracts  and  legal  processes 
should  be  written  on  stamped  paper,  which  was  to  be  furnished, 
at  exorbitant  prices,  by  the  government,  or  should  have  no  force 
in  law-     Information  of  its  passage  was  received  in  all  the  colo 
nies  with  sorrow  and  dismay.     They  saw  that  they  must  either 
surrender,  without  a  struggle,  their  darling  rights,  or  resist  the 
government  of  a  nation,  which  they  had  been  accustomed  to  re 
gard  with  filial  respect,  and  was  then  the  most  powerful  in  the 
world. 

18.  The  general  assembly  of  Virginia  were  in  session  when 
the  information  arrived.     Of  that  body,  Patrick  Henry,  a  young 
man,  but  a  distinguished  orator,  was  a  member.     Near  the  close 
of  the  session,  he  proposed  five  resolutions,  in  the  first  four  of 
which  were  asserted  the  various  rights  and  privileges  claimed  by 
the  colonists,  and,  in  the  fifth,  the  right  of  parliament  to  tax 
America,  was  boldly  and  explicitly  denied.     These  he  defended 
by  strong  reason  and  irresistible  eloquence,  and  they  were  adopt 
ed  by  a  majority  of  one. 

19.  The  next  day,  in  his  absence,  the  fifth  resolution  was  re 
scinded  ;  but  that  and  the  others  had  gone  forth  to  the  world, 
and  imparted  higher  animation  to  the  friends  of  freedom.     They 
were  a  signal  to  the  resolute  and  ardent ;  they  gave  encourage 
ment  to  the  timid  and  cautious  :  they  were  industriously  but 
privately' circulated,  in  the  principal  cities,  until  they  arrived  in 
New-England,  where  they  were  fearlessly  published  in  all  the 
newspapers. 

20*  Nearly  at  the  same  time,  and  before  the  proceedings  ot 
Virginia  were  known  in  Massachusetts,  her  general  court  adopt- 
<*d  measures  to  procure  a  combined  opposition  to  the  offensiTa 


1765.]  REVOLUTION.  123 

laws.  They  passed  a  resolve  proposing  that  a  congress  of  dele 
gates  from  the  several  colonies,  should  be  held  at  New- York,  and 
addressed  letters  to  the  other  assemblies,  earnestly  soliciting1 
their  concurrence. 

21.  These  legislative  proceedings  took  place  in  May  and 
June,  1765.     They  were  the  moderate  and  dignified  expression 
of  feelings,  which  animated,  in  a  more  intense  degree,  a  great 
majority  of  the  people.     In  New-England,  associations,  for  the 
purpose  of  resisting  the  law,  were  organized,  assuming,  from 
Barre's  speech,  the  appellation  of  "  Sons  of  Liberty ;"  pam 
phlets  were  published  vindicating  the  rights  of  the  colonies  ; 
and  the  public  journals  were  filled  with  essays  pointing  out  the 
danger  which  threatened  the  cause  of  liberty,  and  encouraging  a 
bold  and  manly  resistance. 

22.  Excited  by  these  publications,  a  multitude  assembled  in 
Boston,  on  the  14th  of  August,  burned  the  effigy  of  Andrew 
Oliver,  who  had  been  appointed  stamp-distributer,  and  demo 
lished  a  building  which  they  supposed  he  had  erected  for  his  of 
fice.     Fearful  of  farther  injury,  Mr.  Oliver  declared  his  inten 
tion  to  resign,  when  the  people  desisted  from  molesting  him. 

23.  Several  days  afterwards,  a  mob  beset  the  house  of  Mr. 
Story,  an  officer  of  the  detested  admiralty  court.     They  broke 
his  windows,  destroyed  his  furniture,  and  burned  his  papers. 
They  then    proceeded  to    the    house    of   lieutenant-governor 
Hutchinson,  by  whose  advice,  it  was  supposed,  the  stamp  act  had 
been  passed.     They  entered  it  by  force.     Himself,  his  wife,  and 
children  fled.     His  elegant  furniture  was  carried  off  or  destroyed. 
The  partitions  of  the  house  were  broken  down,  and  the  next 
morning  nothing  but  the  bare  and  desolate  walls  remained. 

24.  When  intelligence  of  these  proceedings  reached  Newport, 
in  Rhode  Island,  the  people  of  that  place  assembled  and  com 
mitted  similar  outrages.     Two  houses  were  pillaged,  and  the 
stamp-distributer,  to  preserve  his  own,  was  obliged  to  give  to 
the  leader  of  the  exasperated  populace  a  written  resignation  of 
his   office.     In  Connecticut,   similar   commotions    were    also 
quieted  by  the  resignation  of  the  distributer  of  stamps  for  that 
colony. 

25.  In  New- York,  the  people  displayed  equal  spirit,  but  less 
turbulence  and  rage.     The  obnoxious  act  was  printed,  under 
the  title  of  "  The  folly  of  England,  and  the  ruin  of  America," 
and  thus  exhibited  for  sale  in  the  streets.     At  an  early  period, 
the  stamp-distributer  prudently  resigned  his  office  ;  and  when 
tne  stamped  paper  arrived,  it  was  deposited  for  safe  keeping  in 
the  fort.     A  mob  required  the  lieutenant-governor  to  place  it  in 
their  hands.     He  refused  ;  but,  terrified  by  their  menaces,  con- 


124  REVOLUTION.  [1766. 

sented  to  deliver  it  to  the  magistrates,  who  deposited  it  in  the 
city  hall.  Ten  boxes,  which  afterwards  arrived,  were  seized 
by  the  people,  and  committed  to  the  flames. 

26.  So  general  was  the  opposition  to  the  law,  that  the  stamp 
officers,  in  all  the  colonies,  were  compelled  to  resign.     In  Bos 
ton,  care  was  taken,  on  the  one  hand,  to  prevent  the  recurrence 
of  violent  proceedings,  and,  on  the  other,  to  keep  in  full  vigor 
the  spirit  of  resistance.     A  newspaper  was  established,  having 
for  its  device  a  snake  divided  into  as  many  parts  as  there  were 
colonies,  and  for  its  motto,  "join  or  die."     Mr.  Oliver  was  re 
quired  to  resign  his  office,  with  more  ceremony  and  solemnity, 
under  a  large  elm,  which  had,  from  the  meetings  held  under  it, 
received  the  name  of  the  tree  of  liberty. 

27.  In  October,  the  congress  recommended  by  Massachusetts, 
convened  at  New-York.     Delegates  from  six  provinces  only 
were  present.     Their  first  act  was  a  Declaration  of  Rights,  in 
which  they  asserted,  that  the  colonies  were  entitled  to  all  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  natural  born  subjects  within  the  kingdom 
of  Great  Britain,  the  most  essential  of  which  were  the  exclusive 
right  to  tax  themselves,  and  the  privilege  of  trial  by  jury.     A 
petition  to  the  king,  and  a  memorial  to  both  houses  of  parliament, 
were  also  agreed  on ;  and  the  colonial  assemblies  were  advised 
to  appoint  special  agents  to  solicit,  in  concert,   a  redress   of 
grievances.     To  interest  the  people  of  England  in  the  cause  of 
the  colonies,  the  merchants  of  New- York  directed  their  corres 
pondents,  in  that  country,  to  purchase  no  more  goods  until  the 
stamp  act  should  be  repealed.     Immediately  after,  non-importa 
tion  agreements  were  adopted  in  the  other  colonies,  and  associa 
tions  were  organized  for  the  encouragement  of  domestic  manu 
factures.     To  avoid  the  necessity  of  stamps,  proceedings  in  the 
courts  of  justice  were  suspended,  and  disputes  were  settled  by 
arbitration. 

28.  In  the  mean  time,  an  entire  change  had  taken  place  in 
the  British  cabinet,  and  a  proposition  to  repeal  the  stamp  act 
was,  by  the  new  ministry,  laid  before  parliament.    An  interesting 
debate  ensued.     Mr.  Grenville,  the  late  prime  minister,  decla 
red,  that  to  repeal  the  act  under  existing  circumstances,  would 
degrade  the  government,  and  encourage  rebellion.     "  When," 
he  demanded,  "  were  the  Americans  emancipated  ?  By  what 
law,  by  what  reason,  do  they  ungratefully  claim  exemption  from 
defraying  expenses  incurred  in  protecting  them  ?" 

29.  William  Pitt,  he  who  had  wielded,  with  such  mighty  ef 
feet,  the  power  of  England,  in  the  late  war,  rose  to  reply.     He 
regretted  that  he  had  not  been  able  to  attend  in  his  place,  and 
oppose  the  law  on  its  passage.     "  It  is  now  an  act  that  has 


1766.]  REVOLUTION  125 

passed.  I  would  speak  with  decency  of  every  act  of  this  house ; 
but  I  must  beg  the  indulgence  of  this  house  to  speak  of  it  with 
freedom.  Assuredly  a  more  important  subject  never  engaged 
your  attention;  that  subject  only  excepted,  when,  nearly  a 
century  ago,  it  was  the  question  whether  you  yourselves  were 
bond  or  free  ? 

30.  "  Those  who  have  spoken  before  me,  with  so  much  ve 
hemence,  would  maintain  the  act  because  our  honor  demands  it. 
But  can  the  point  of  honor  stand  opposed  against  justice,  against 
reason,  against  right  1  It  is  my  opinion  that  England  has  no  right 
to  tax  the  colonies.     At  the  same  time,  I  assert  the  authority  of 
this  kingdom  over  the  colonies  to  b*e  sovereign  and  supreme,  in 
every  circumstance  of  government  and  legislation  whatsoever. 

31.  "  Taxation  is  no  part  of  the  governing  or  legislative  pow 
er.     The  taxes  are  a  voluntary  gift  and  grant  of  the  commons 
alone ;  when,  therefore,  in  this  house,  we  give  and  grant,  wo 
irive  and  grant  what  is  our  own.     But  in  an  American  tax,  what 
do  we  do  1  We,  your  majesty's  commons  of  Great  Britain,  give 
and  grant  to    your  majesty — what?  Our  own  property1?  No. 
We  give  and  grant  to  your  majesty  the  property  of  your  com 
mons  in  America.     It  is  an  absurdity  in  terms. 

32.  "  It  has  been  asked,  when  were  the  Americans  emanci 
pated  ?  But  I  desire  to  know  when  they  were  made  slaves.     I 
hear  it  said,  that  America  is  obstinate ;  America  is  almost  in 
open  rebellion.     I  rejoice  that  America  has  resisted.     Three 
millions  of  people,  so  dead  to  all  the  feelings  of  liberty  as  volun 
tarily  to  submit  to  be  slaves,  would  have  been  fit  instruments  to 
make  slaves  of  ourselves. 

33.  "  The  honorable  member  has  said,  for  he  is  fluent  in 
words  of  bitterness,  that  America  is  ungrateful.     He  boasts  of 
his  bounties  towards  her.     But  are  not  these  bounties  intended 
finally  for  the  benefit  of  this  kingdom  ?  The  promts  of  Great 
Britain,  from  her  commerce  with  the  colonies,  are  two  millions 
n,  year.     This  is  the  fund  that  carried  you  triumphantly  through 
the  last  war.     The  estates  that  were  rented  at  two  thousand 
pounds  a  year,  seventy  years  ago,  are  at  three  thousand  pounds 
at  present.     You  owe  this  to  America.     This  is  the  price  she 
pays  you  for  protection. 

34.  "  A  great  deal  has  been  said  without  doors,  and  more 
than  is  discreet,  of  the  power,  of  the  strength  of  America.     In  a 
good  cause,  on  a  sound  bottom,  the  force  of  this  country  can 
crush  America  to  atoms.     But  on  the  ground  of  this  tax,  when 
it  is  wished  to  prosecute  an  evident  injustice,  I  am  one  who  will 
lift  my  hands  and  my  voice  against  it.     In  such  a  cause,  your 
success  would  be  deplorable  and  victory  hazardous.     America, 

L9 


126  REVOLUTION.  [17t 

if  she  fell,  would  fall  like  the  strong  man.  She  would  embrace 
the  pillars  of  the  state,  and  pull  down  the  constitution  along  with 
her." 

35.  The  sentiments  of  this  great  statesman  prevailed  in  par 
liament.     The  stamp  act  was  repealed ;  but  another  act  was 
passed   declaring  that    "the  legislature  of  Great  Britain  has 
authority  to  make  laws  to  bind  the  colonies  in  all  cases  what 
soever."     The  merchants  of  London  rejoiced  at  this  repeal. 
They  had  felt  the  effects  of  the  colonial  non-importation  agree 
ments,  and  dreaded  that  still  more  injurious  consequences  would 
follow. 

36.  But  far  greater  were  the  rejoicings  of  the  Americans. 
They  had  obtained  the  object  for  which  they  had  contended. 
They  regarded  the  declaratory  act  as  the  mere  reservation  of 
wounded  pride,  and  welcomed  with  transport  the  opportunity  of 
again  cherishing  their  former  affection  for  the  land  ol   their 
fathers.     The  assemblies  of  several  colonies  voted  their  thanks 
to  Mr.  Pitt,  and  to  others  in  England,  who  had  supported  their 
cause  ;  and  that  of  Virginia  resolved  to  erect  an  obelisk  to  their 
honor,  and  a  marble  statue  of  the  king,  as  a  memorial  of  grati 
tude. 

37.  By  the  people  of  New-England  and  New- York  less  joy 
was  felt  and  less  gratitude  displayed.     The  laws  imposing  duties 
on  their  trade  were  still  in  force,     The  courts  of  admiralty, 
sitting  without  juries,  still  retained  jurisdiction  of  all  revenue 
causes.     Their  repeated    contests  with   their  governors,  had 
weakened  their  attachment  to  the  nation  that  appointed  them, 
and  confirmed  their  republican  principles.     They  still  remem 
bered  the  past  and  entertained  suspicions  of  the  future. 

38.  The   very  next  year  events   occurred   which  justified 
these  suspicions.     A  law  of  parliament,  which  remained  unre- 
pealed,  directed  that  whenever  troops  should  be  marched  into 
any  of  the  colonies,  quarters,  rum,  and  various  necessary  articles, 
should  be  provided  for  them,  at  the  expense  of  the  colony.  Tha 
assembly  of  New- York  refused  obedience  to  this  law,  consider 
ing  it  an  indirect  mode  of  taxing  them  without  their  consent. 
To  punish  this  disobedience,  parliament  immediately  suspended 
the  authority  of  the  assembly.     It  was  easily  seen  that  nothing 
had  been  gained,  if  this  power  of  suspension,  for  such  a  cause, 
existed,  and  could  be  exercised  at  pleasure. 

39.  The  alarm,  occasioned  by  this  act  of  despotic  power, 
was  increased  by  a  measure,  which,  under  the  auspices  of  a  new 
ministry,  was  adopted  in  June,  1767.     A  duty  was  imposed  by 
parliament  on  the  importation  into  the  colonies,  of  glass,  teu, 
•,md  other  finumfraterl  articles,  and  provision  was  made  for  the 


1768.]  REVOLUTION.  127 


appointment  of  commissioners  of  the  customs  to  be  dependent 
solely  on  the  crown. 

40.  Early  in  the  next  year,  the  general  court  of  Massachu 
setts,  pursuing  the  same  course  as  in  1764,  addressed  a  letter  to 
their  agent  in  London,  containing  able  arguments  against  those 
duties,  and  requested  him  to  communicate  the  letter  to  the  mi 
nistry.     They  also  sent  to  the  other  colonial  assemblies,  a  circu 
Jar  letter,  in  which  these  arguments  were  repeated,  arid  suggest 
ed  the  expediency  of  acting  in  concert,  in  all  endeavors  to  ob 
tain  redress. 

41.  These  proceedings  incensed  and  alarmed  the  ministry. 
They  feared  that  a  union  of  the  colonies  would  give  them  strength 
and  confidence,  and  determined  if  possible  to  prevent  it.     They 
instructed  Sir  John  Bernard,  then  governor  of  Massachusetts,  to 
require  the  general  court  to  rescind  the  vote  directing  the  circu 
lar  letter  to  be  sent,  and  in  case  of  refusal  to  dissolve  it.     The 
governor  communicated  these  instructions  to  the  house  of  repre 
sentatives,  which,  by  a  vote  of  ninety-two  to  seventeen,  refused 
to  rescind,  and  was  accordingly  dissolved. 

42.  The  attempt  to  intimidate  did  but  strengthen  opposition. 
The  non-importation  agreements,  which  had  been  lately  aban 
doned,  were  renewed,  and  more  extensively  adopted.     The  citi 
zens  of  Boston  met,  and  proposed  that  a  convention  of  delegates 
from  the  several  towns  in  the  province,  should  be  held  at  that 
place.     Nearly  every  tcrwn  accordingly  sent  delegates.     This 
convention,  though  it  disclaimed  all  legal  authority,  was  regard 
ed  with  the  same  respect  as  a  legitimate  assembly.    Its  proceed 
ings  were  unimportant,  but  by  its  sessions  in  the  metropolis  of 
New-England,  the  people  became  accustomed  to  pay  deference 
to  a  body  of  men  deriving  all  their  authority  from  the  instruc 
tions  of  their  constituents. 

43.  On  so  many  occasions  had  the  refractory  spirit  of  the 
citizens  of  Boston  been  displayed,  that  general  Gage,  who  was 
commander-iii-chief  of  all  the  troops  in  the  colonies, .was  ordered 
to  station  a  regiment  in  that  town,  23  well  to  overawe  th©  citi 
zens,  as  to  protect  the  officers  of  the  revenue  in  the  discharge  of 
their  duty.     Before  the  order  was  executed,  the  seizure  of  a 
sloop  belonging  to  Mr.  Hancock,  a  popular  leader,  occasioned  a 
riot,  in  which  those  officers  were  insulted  and  beaten.     The 
general,  on  receiving  information  of  this  event,  sent  two  regi 
ments  instead  of  one,  and  on  the  iirst  of  October  they  arrived  in 
the  harbor. 

44.  The  ships  that  brought  them,  taking  a  station  that  com 
manded  the  whole  town,  lay  wills  their  broadsides  towards  it, 
rfijtdy  to  f  re  should  resistance  be  attempted.     The  troops?  with 


128  REVOLUTION.  [1769 

loaded  muskets  and  fixed  bayonets,  then  landed ;  and,  the  select 
men  having  refused  to  provide  quarters,  they  took  possession  of 
the  state-house.  All  the  rooms,  except  one  reserved  for  the 
council,  were  filled,  and  two  pieces  of  cannon  were  placed  near 
the  principal  entrance. 

45.  With  indignant  and  exasperated  feelings,  the  people  wit 
nessed  this  threatening  display  of  military  force.     They  saw  the 
hall  of  their  venerated  legislature  polluted  by  th*  tread  of  foreign 
mercenaries.     They  saw  soldiers   parading  their  streets  and 
guards  mounted  at  the  corners.     They  were  challenged  as  they 
passed,  and  the  unwelcome  din  of  martial  music  often  disturbed 
their  repose.     They  knew  that  intimidation  was  the  object,  and 
felt  a  stronger  determination  to  resist  than  had  before  animated 
their  bosoms. 

46.  Resolutions,  in  the  mean  time,  had  been  adopted  in  par 
liament,  censuring,  in  the  strongest  terms  the  conduct  of  the 
people  of  Massachusetts,  and  directing  the  governor  to  make 
strict  inquiry,  as  to  all  treasons  committed  in  that  province, 
since  the  year  1667,  in  order  that  the  persons  most  active  in 
committing  them  might  be  sent  to  England  for  trial. 

47.  These  resolutions  rendered  it  sufficiently  evident  that 
Great  Britain  had  determined  to  adhere  to  the  system  of  mea 
sures  she  had  adopted.     In  May,  they  were  taken  into  conside 
ration  by  the  house  of  burgesses  of  Virginia.     In  sundry  reso 
lutions,  they  reasserted  the  right  of  the  colonies  to  be  exempted 
from  parliamentary  taxation,  and  declared  that  seizing  persons 
in  the  colonies,  suspected  of  having  committed  crimes  therein, 
and  sending  them  beyond  sea  to  be  tried,  violated  the  rights  of 
British  subjects,  as  it  deprived  them  of  the  inestimable  right  oi 
being  tried  by  a  jury  of  the  vicinage,  and  of  producing  witnesses 
on  their  trial. 

48.  While  these  resolutions  were  under  discussion,  the  house, 
apprehensive  of  an  immediate   dissolution  should  the  subject 
of  their  deliberations  be  known  to  the  governor,  closed  their 
doors.     The   instant  they  were  opened,  a  message   was  an 
nounced,  requesting  their  attendance  before  him.    "  Mr.  Speak 
er,"  said  he,  "  and  gentlemen  of  the  house  of  burgesses.     I  have 
heard  of  your  resolves,  and  augur  ill  of  their  effects.     You  have 
made  it  my  duty  to  dissolve  you,  and  you  are  dissolved  accord 
ingly." 

49.  This,  like  every  previous  measure  of  intimidation,  ex 
cited,  to  a  still  higher  degree,  the  spirit  of  opposition.     The 
members  assembled  at  a  private  house,  elected  their  speaker  to 
preside  as  moderator,  and  unanimously  formed  a  non-importa 
tion  agreement  similar  to  those  previously  adopted  at  the  north 


2770.]  REVOLUTION.  129 

In  a  few  weeks,  the  example  of  Virginia  was  followed  by  most 
of  the  southern  colonies. 

50.  To  the  citizens  of  Boston,  the  troops  quartered  among 
them  were  a  painful  and  irritating  spectacle.     Quarrels  occur 
ring  daily  between  them  and  the  populace,  increased  the  animo 
sity  of  each  to  ungovernable  hatred.     At  length,  on  the  evening 
of  the  fifth  of  March,  an  affray  took  place  in  King-street,  [since 
called  State-street,]  in  which  a  detachment  of  the  troops  com 
manded  by  captain  Preston,  after  being  insulted,  pelted  with 
snow  balls  and  dared  to  fire,  discharged  their  muskets  upon  the 
multitude,  killing  four  persons  and  wounding  others. 

51.  The  drums  were  instantly  beat  to  arms,  and  several  thou 
sand  people  assembled,  who,  enraged  by  the  sight  of  the  dead 
bodies  of  their  fellow  citizens,  slain  in  a  cause  dear  to  them  all, 
prepared  to  attack  a  larger  detachment  which  had  been  sent  to 
support  their  comrades.     In  this  state  of  excitement,  they  were 
addressed  by  lieutenant-governor  Hutchinson,  who  appeared  in 
the  midst  of  them.     Though  personally  obnoxious,  he  calmed 
their  fury,  and  prevailed  upon  them  to  disperse  until  morning. 

52.  The  next  day,  captain  Preston  and  his  party  were  arrest 
ed  and  committed  to  prison.     The  citizens  met  and  appointed  a 
committee  to  demand  the  immediate  removal  of  the  troops  from 
the  town.     At  this  meeting,   Samuel  Adams,  an  inflexible  pa 
triot,  was  distinguished  for  his  decision  and  boldness.     After 
some  hesitation,  on  the  part  of  the  commanding  officer,  they 
were  sent  to  castle  William,  and  were  accompanied  by  several 
officers  of  the  customs  who  dreaded  the  indignation  of  the  people. 

53.  Three  days  afterwards,  the  funeral  of  the  deceased  took 
place.     It  was  conducted  with  great  pomp  and  unusual  ceremo 
nies,  expressive  of  the  public  feeling.     The  shops  were  closed. 
The  bells  of  Boston,  Roxbury,  and  Charlestown  were  tolled. 
Four  processions,  moving  from  different  parts  of  the  town,  met 
at  the  fatal  spot,  and  pfoceeded  thence  towards  the  place  of  in 
terment.     This  united  procession  comprised  an  immense  num 
ber  of  people  on  foot  and  in  carriages,  all  displaying  the  deepest 
grief  and  indignation.     The  bodies  were  deposited  together  in 
the  same  vault. 

54.  When  the  passions  of  the  people  had  in  some  degree  sub 
sided,  captain  Preston  and  his  soldiers  were  brought  to  trial. 
They  were  defended  by  John  Adams,  and  Josiah  Quiiicy,  two 
able  lawyers,  and  distinguished  waders  of  the  popular  party. 
For  nearly  six  weeks,  the  court  were  employed  in  examining 
witnesses,  and  in  listening  to  the  arguments  of  counsel.    Captain 
Preston,  not  having  ordered  his  men  to  fire,  was  acquitted  by 
the  jury.     Of  the  soldiers,  six  were  also  acquitted,  there  being 


130  REVOLUTION.  [1772. 

no  positive  testimony  that  they  fired  upon  the  people ;  and  two 
were  acquitted  of  murder,  as  great  provocation  was  offered,  but 
found  guilty  of  manslaughter — a  result  evincing  the  integrity  of 
the  jury  and  the  magnanimity  and  uprightness  of  the  counsel 
for  the  accused. 

55.  While  these  events  were  occurring  in  the  colonies,  an 
attempt,  supported  by  the  prime  minister,  was  made  in  Eng 
land,  to  repeal  all  the  laws  for  raising  a  revenue  in  America. 
The  parliament,   with   a  mixture   of  timidity  and   obstinacy, 
characteristic  of  the  councils  t)f  the  nation  at  that  period,  relin 
quished  all  the  duties  but  that  on  tea,  and  this  they  unwisely 
retained  to  assert  and  display  their  supremacy  over  the  colonies. 

56.  This  partial  repeal  produced  no  change  in  the  sentiments 
of  the  people.     By  rendering  the  contest  more  clearly  a  contest 
of  principle,  it  sanctified  their  conduct  in  their  own  view  and 
ennobled  it  in  that  of  the  world.     The  non-importation  agree 
ments,  however,  were  made  to  correspond  with  the  altered  law. 
Tea  only  was  to  be  excluded  from  the  country  ;  and  this  articl » 
of  luxury  was  banished  from  the  tables  of  all  who  were  friai  \\  t 
to  American  rights. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
REVOLUTION. 


THE  years  1771  and  1772  were  not  distinguished  by  any 
important  event.  The  southern  colonies,  more  agricultural 
than  commercial,  suffered  but  little  from  the  operation  of  the 
laws  of  trade,  and,  having  mostly  popular  governors,  continued 
tranquil.  In  Massachusetts,  various  causes  contributed,  to  in 
crease  the  discontent  which  previously  existed.  Governor 
Hutchinson,  having  adjourned  the  general  court  to  Salem,  re 
fused,  notwithstanding  reiterated  remonstrances,  to  permit  them 
to  return  to  Boston.  He  withdrew  the  provincial  troops  from 
the  castle  and  supplied  their  place  with  regulars,  as  the  British 
troops  were  then  called.  He  declined  receiving  his  salary  from 
the  colonial  treasury,  stating  that  his  majesty  had  assigned  to 
him,  and  also  to  the  judges,  permanent  and  honorable  salaries, 
to  be  paid  ia  Great  Britain.  These  measures  were  highly 


1773.J  REVOLUTION.  13* 

unpopular,  and  especially  the  last  which^  released  those  officers 
from  all  dependence  on  the  people. 

2.  To  ascertain  the  sentiments  of  the  inhabitants ;  to  enlighten 
the  remotest  parts  of  the  province  by  diffusing  intelligence,  and 
distributing  political  essays ;  and  to  produce  concert  in  mea 
sures,  James  Warren  and  Samuel  Adams  suggested  and  pro 
cured  the  appointment,  in  every  town,  of  committees  of  corres 
pondence.  By  the  agency  of  these,  resolutions  and  addresses, 
sometimes  inflammatory  and  always  spirited,  were  speedily  con 
veyed  through  the  country,  arousing  the  attention  of  all  and  ex 
horting  to  perseverance  in  the  cause  of  liberty.  This  example 
was  soon  after  followed  in  other  colonies  ;  and  in  1773,  at  the 
suggestion  of  the  Virginia  assembly,  standing  committees  were 
appointed,  by  the  colonial  legislatures,  to  correspond  with  each 
other.  This  institution,  when  more  active  opposition  became 
necessary,  was  found  extremely  useful. 

3.  In  this  year,  Dr.  Franklin  obtained  in  London  a  number 
of  original  letters  from  governor  Hutchinson,  lieutenant-gov 
ernor  Oliver  and  others,  to  their  correspondents  in  parliament. 
In  these  letters,  the  opposition  in  Massachusetts  was  stated  t  o 
be  confined  to  a  few  factious  individuals  who  had  been  em 
boldened  by  the  weakness  of  the  means  used  to  restrain  them. 
Measures  more  vigorous  were  recommended  :   and  the  ministry 
were  urged  to  take  from  the  people  and  exercise  themselves 
the  power  of  appointing  counsellors  and  all  colonial  magistrates. 
These  letters  he  transmitted  to  Boston. 

4.  The  source  and  occasion  of  the  offensive  proceedings  of 
parliament  were  now  disclosed.     The  passions  of  the  people 
were  highly  inflamed,  and  the  weight  of  popular  indignation 
fell  upon  the  authors  of  these  letters.     The  central  committee 
of  correspondence,  at  Boston,  sent  printed  copies,  enclosed  in 
a  spirited  circular,  to  aK  the  towns  in  the  province.     And  the 
general  court,  in  several  resolutions  which  were  also  published, 
animadverted    with  severity  upon  the   misrepresentations  and 
advice  contained   in  the  letters,   thus  increasing  the  irritation 
which  their  discovery  and  perusal  had  occasioned. 

5.  Meanwhile  the  tea  of  the  East  India  company,  not  find 
ing  a  market  in  America,  accumulated  in  their  warehouses  in 
England.     Encouraged  by  the  government,  they  resolved  to 
export  it  on  their  own  account,  and  appointed  consignees  in  the 
various  sea-ports  in  the  colonies.     Those  in  Philadelphia  were 
induced,  by  the  disapprobation  expressed  by  tke  citizens,  to 
decline  their  appointment.     In   New-York,  spirited  handbills 
were  circulated  menacing  with  ruin  every  person  who  should 
be  concerned  in  vending  tea,  and  requiring  the  pilots,  at  their 


132  REVOLUTION.  [1773. 


fil,  not  to  conduct  ships,  loaded  with  that  article,  into  the 
harbor.  Intimidated  by  these  proceedings,  the  captains  of  the 
tea  ships,  bound  to  those  ports,  returned  with  their  cargoes  to 
England. 

6.  In  Boston,  inflammatory  handbills  were  also  circulated, 
and  meetings  held  ;  but  the  consignees,  being  mostly  relatives 
of  the  governor,  and  relying  on  his  support,  refused  to  decline 
their  appointments.     Their  refusal  enraged  the  citizens,  and 
the  community  became  agitated  by  the  operation  of  highly  ex 
cited  passions.     Meetings  were   more  frequently   held.     The 
committees  of  correspondence  were  every  where  active.     The 
people  of  the  country  exhorted  their  brethren  in  Boston  to  act 
worthy  of  their  former  character,  worthy  of  "  Sons  of  Liberty," 
upon  whose  conduct,  in  the  present  emergency,  every  thing 
depended. 

7.  On  the  29th  of  November,  a  ship,  laden  with  tea,  came 
into   the  harbor.     Notifications  were  immediately  posted   up 
inviting  every  friend  to  his  country  to  meet  forthwith  and  con 
cert  united  resistance  to  the  arbitrary  measures  of  Britain.     A 
crowded  meeting  was  held,  and  a  resolution  adopted,  "  that 
the  tea  should  not  be  landed,  that  no  duty  should  be  paid,  and 
that  it  should  be  sent  back  in  the  same  vessel."     A  watch  was 
also  organized  to  prevent  it  from  being  secretly   brought  on 
shore. 

8.  A  short  time  was  then  allowed  for  the  captain  to  prepare 
to  return  home  with  his  cargo.     Governor  Hutchinson  refused 
to  grant  him  the  requisite  permission  to  pass  the  castle.     Other 
vessels,  laden  with  tea,  arrived.     The  agitation  increased,  and 
on  the  18th  of  December,  the  inhabitants  of  Boston  and  the 
adjoining  towns  assembled  to  determine  what  course  should  be 
pursued.     At  this  important  meeting,  Josiah  Quincy,  desirous 
that  the  consequences  of  the  measures  to  be  adopted  should  be 
first  seriously  contemplated,  thus  addressed  his  fellow  citizens. 

9.  "  It  is  not,  Mr.  Moderator,  the  spirit  that  vapors  within 
these  walls  that  will  sustain  us  in  the  hour  of  need.     The  pro 
ceedings  of  this  day  will  call  forth  events  which  will  make  a 
very  different    spirit  necessary  for  our  salvation.     Whoever 
supposes  that  shouts  and  hosannas  will  terminate  our  trials, 
entertains  a  childish  fancy.     We  must  be  grossly  ignorant  of 
the  value  of  the  prize  for  which  we  contend  ;   we  must  be 
equally  ignorant  of  the  power  of  those  who  have  combined 
against  us  ;  we  must  be  blind   to  that  inveterate  malice  and 
insatiable  revenge  which  actuate  our  enemies,  abroad  and  in 
our  bosom,  to  hope  that  we  shall  end  this  controversy  without 
the  sharpest  conflicts — or  to  flatter  ourselves  that  popular  re 


1774.]  REVOLUTION.  133 

solves,  popular  harangues,  and  popular  acclamations,  will  van 
quish  our  foes.  Let  us  consider  the  issue  ;  let  us  look  to  the  end  ; 
let  us  weigh  and  deliberate,  before  we  advance  to  those  mea 
sures  which  must  bring  on  the  most  trying  and  terrible  struggle 
this  country  ever  saw." 

10.  In  the  evening  the  question  was  put,  "  Do  you  abide  by 
vour  former  I  esolution  to  prevent  the  landing  of  the  tea  ?"  The 
rote  was  unanimous  in  the  affirmative.     Application  was  again 
made  to  the  governor  for  a  pass.     After  a  short  delay,  his  re- 
/usal  was  communicated  to  the  assembly.     Instantly  a  person, 
disguised  like  an  Indian,  gave  the  war  whoop  from  the  gallery. 
At  this  signal,  the  people  rushed  out  of  the  house  and  hastened 
60  the  wharves.     About  twenty  persons,  in  the  dress  of  Mo- 
fcawks,   boarded  the  vessels,  and,  protected  by  the  crowd  on 
shore,  broke  open  three  hundred  and  forty-two  chests  of  tea 
and   emptied   their  contents  into  the  ocean.     Their  purpose 
accomplished,  the  multitude  returned  without  tumult  to  their 
habitations. 

11.  These  proceedings  excited  the  anger  of  parliament  and 
the  displeasure  of  the  British  nation.   Punishment,  not  a  change 
of  measures,  was  resolved  upon.     An  act,  closing  the  port  of 
Boston,  and  removing  the  custom  house  to  Salem,  was  passed, 
and  was  to  continue  in  force  until  compensation  should  be  made 
for  the  tea  destroyed  ;   another  act  was  passed,  taking  from  the 
general  court  and  giving  to  the  crown  the  appointment  of  coun 
sellors  ;  and  general  Gage  was  made  governor  in  the  place  of 
Mr.  Hutchinson. 

12.  Intelligence  of  the  Boston  port  bill  occasioned  a  meeting 
of  the  citizens  of  the  town  ;   they  were  sensible  that  "  the  most 
trying  and  terrible  struggle"  was  indeed  now  approaching,  but 
felt  unawed  by  its  terrors.     They  sought  not  to  shelter  them 
selves  from  the  storm  by  submission,  but  became  more  reso 
lute  as  it  increased.     They  declared  the  act  to  be  unjust  and 
inhuman,  and  invited   their  brethren  in  the  other  colonies  to 
unite  with  them  in  a  general  non-importation  agreement. 

13.  A  similar  spirit  pervaded  and  animated  the  whole  coun 
try.     Addresses  from  the  adjacent  towns,  and  from  every  part 
of  the  continent,  were  sent  to  the  citizens  of  Boston,  applaud 
ing  their  resolution,  exhorting  them  to  perseverance,  and  assur 
ing  them  that  they  were  considered  as  suffering  in  a  common 
cause.     In  Virginia,  the  first  day  of  June,  when  the  law  began 
to  operate,  was  observed  as  a  public  and  solemn  fast.     With 
devout  feelings,  the  divine  inte imposition  was  implored,  in  all 
the  churches,  to  avert  the  evils  of  civil  war,  and  to  give  to  the 

M 


134  REVOLUTION.  [1774 

people  one  heart  and  one  mind,  firmly  to  oppose  every  invasion 
of  their  liberty. 

14.  The  same  day  was  observed,  with  similar  solemnity,  in 
most  of  the  other  colonies  ;  and  thus  an  opportunity  was  pre 
sented  to  the  ministers  of  the  gospel  to  dispense  political  in 
struction,  to  paint,  in  vivid  colors,  the  sufferings  of  the  citizens 
of  Boston,  and  to  warn  their  congregations,  that,  should  Great 
Britain  succeed   in  her  schemes,  the  danger  to  their  religious 
would  be  as  great  as  to  their  civil  privileges  ;  that  a  tame  sub 
mission  to  the  will  of  parliament,  would  inevitably  be  followed 
by  bishops,  tithes,  test  acts,  and  ecclesiastical  tribunals. 

15.  The  sufferings  of  the  inhabitants  of  Boston  were  indeed 
severe.      Nearly  all   wrere   compelled  to  be  idle.     Many,  by 
loss  of  employment,  lost  their  sole  means  of  support.     In  this 
extremity,   contributions  in   money  and  provisions   were   for 
warded  to  them  from  all  the  colonies,  as  proofs  of  sympathy  in 
their  distresses,  and  of  approbation  of  their  having  met  and 
manfully  withstood  the  first  shock  of  arbitrary  power. 

16.  Gradually  and  constantly  had  the  minds   and  feelings 
of  the  Americans  been  preparing  for  this  important  crisis. 
That  enthusiastic  patriotism  which  elevates  the  soul  above  all 
considerations  of  interest  or  danger  had  now  become  their  rul 
ing  passion.     The  inhabitants  of  Salem  spurned  advantages  to 
be  derived  from  the  punishment  inflicted  on  a  sister  town,  for 
its  zeal  in  a  sacred  and  common  cause.     "  We  must,"    said 
they,   in  a  remonstrance  to  the  governor,   "  be  dead  to  every 
idea  of  justice,  lost  to  all  feelings  of  humanity  ;   could  we  in 
dulge  one  thought,  to  seize  on  wealth,  and  raise  our  fortunes 
from  the  ruin  of  our  suffering  neighbors." 

17.  In  June,  the  general  court  assembled  at   Salem,  and 
among  their  first  acts  were,  the  recommendation  of  a  continental 
congress,  which  had  been  suggested  by  the  committee  of  corres 
pondence  in  Virginia,  and  the  choice  of  delegates  to  attend  it. 
While  engaged,  with  closed  doors,  in  this  business,  governor 
Gage,  who  had  received  a  private  intimation  of  their  purposes, 
dissolved  the  court  by  a  proclamation  which  was  read  upon  the 
steps.     In  all  the  other  colonies,   except  Georgia,  delegates 
were  also  chosen. 

18.  On  the  5th  of  September,  these  delegates  met  at  Phila 
delphia.      Peyton   Randolph,   of  Virginia,   was   unanimously 
elected  president,  and  Charles  Thompson,  secretary.     It  was 
determined  that  each  colony  should  have  but  one  vote,  whatever 
might  be  the  number  of  its  depuibs,  and  that  all  their  transac 
tions,  except  such  as  they  might  resolve  to  publish,  shouM  be 
kept  inviolably 


1774,]  REVOLUTION.  13?/ 

19.  Resolutions  were  then  adopted,  expressing  the  sympathy 
of  congress  in  the  sufferings  of  their  countrymen  in  Massachu 
setts,  and  highly  approving  the  wisdom  and  fortitude  of  their 
conduct.     They   also  resolved  that  the   importation  of  goods 
from  Great  Britain  should  cease  on  the  first  day  of  the  succeed 
ing  December,  and  all  exports  to  that  country  on  the  10th  of 
September,  1775,  unless  American  grievances  should  be  sooner 
redressed.  These  resolutions  possessed  no  legal  force,  but  never 
were  laws  more  faithfully  observed. 

20.  In   other  resolutions,  they  enumerated  certain  rights, 
which,  as  men  and  English  subjects,  "  they  claimed,  demanded, 
arid  insisted  on ;"  and  recounted  numerous  violations  of  those 
rights  by  parliament.     Addresses  to  the  people  of  Great  Britain, 
to  the  inhabitants  of  Canada,  and  to  their  constituents,  were  pre 
pared  and  published ;  and  an  affectionate  petition  to  the  king 
was  agreed  upon. 

21.  In  these  able   and  important  state  papers,  the  claims, 
principles,  and   feelings  of  their  constituents  are  clearly  and 
eloquently  set  forth.     They  glow  with  the  love  of  liberty,  they 
display  a  determination,  too  firm  to  be  shaken,  to  defend  and 
preserve  it  at  every  hazard  ;  they  contain  the  strongest  profes 
sions  of  attachment  to  the  mother  country,  and  of  loyalty  to 
the  king.     A  desire  of  independence  is  expressly  disavowed. 
"  Place  us,"  say  the  eongress;   "  in  the  situation  we  were  in, 
at  the  close  of  the  last  war,  and  our  former  harmony  will  be 
restored."     "We  ask,"  say  they  in  their  petition,  "but    for 
peace,  liberty,  and  safety.     We  wish  not  a  diminution  of  the 
prerogative,  nor  do  we  solicit  the  grant  of  any  new  right  in  our 
favor.     Your  royal  authority  over  us,  and  our  connexion  with 
Great  Britain,  we  shall  always  carefully  and  zealously  endeavor 
to  support  and  maintain." 

22.  These  papers,  going  forth  to  the  world,  made  the  cause 
of  the  colonies  known  throughout  Europe,  and  conciliated  those 
who  had  embraced  liberal  principles  in  politics,  or  felt  displea 
sure  at  the  pride  and  haughtiness  of  Britain.     Their  tone  of 
manly  energy,  and  the  knowledge  they  displayed   of  political 
science,  excited  universal  applause  and  admiration. 

23.  "  When  your  lordships,"  said   Mr.  Pitt,  in  the  British 
senate,  "  have  perused  the  papers  transmitted  to  us  from  Ameri 
ca;  when  you  consider  the  dignity,  the  firmness,  and  the  wisdom, 
with  which  the  Americans  have  acted,  you  cannot  but  respect 
their  cause.     History,  my  lords,  has  been  my  favorite  study ; 
and  in  the  celebrated  writings  of  antiquity  I  have  often  admired 
the  patriotism  of  Greece  and  Rome  ;  but,  my  lords,  I  must  de 
clare  and  avow,  that  h  the  master  states  of  the  world,  I  know  not 


136  REVOLUTION.  [1774, 

the  people  nor  the  senate,  who,  in  such  a  complication  of  diffi 
cult  circumstances,  can  stand  in  preference  to  the  delegates  of 
America  assembled,  in  general  congress,  at  Philadelphia.  I 
trust  that  it  is  obvious  to  your  lordships,  that  all  attempts  to  im 
pose  servitude  upon  such  men,  to  establish  despotism  over  such 
a  mighty  continental  nation,  must  be  vain,  must  be  futile." 

24.  In  America,  the  proceedings  of  congress  were  read  with 
enthusiasm  and  veneration.  Their  reasonings  confirmed  the  con 
viction,  strongly  felt  by  nearly  the  whole  people,  of  the  perfect 
justice  of  their  cause.     In  the  address  to  themselves,  they  wer& 
admonished  "  to  extend  their  views  to  mournful  events,  and  to 
be  in  all  respects  prepared  for  every  contingency."     Great  ef 
forts  were  consequently  made  to  provide  arms  and  all  the  muni 
tions  of  war.     Independent  companies  were  formed ;  voluntary 
trainings  were  frequent ;  the  old  and  the  young,  the  rich  and 
the  poor  devoted  their  hours  of  amusement  and  of  leisure,  to  ex 
ercises  calculated  to  fit  them  to  act  a  part  in  the  anticipated  con 
flict.     The  country  was  alive  with  the  bustle  of  preparation, 
and  in  every  countenance  could  be  read  the  expectation  of  im 
portant  transactions,  in  which  all  must  participate. 

25.  Complete  unanimity,  however,  did  not  exist.     Some  of 
the  late  emigrants  from  England,  the  most  of  those  who  held 
offices  by   her  appointment,  many  whose  timidity  magnified 
her  power,  clung  to  her  authority,  and  as  the  crisis  approached, 
declared  themselves  her  adherents.     These  were  denominated 
lories  ;  the  friends  of'liberty,  whigs — names  by  which  the  ad 
vocates  of  arbitrary  power,  and  the  friends  of  constitutional 
liberty,  were  distinguished  in  England. 

26.  General  Gage,  who  had  been  recently  appointed  gover 
nor  of  Massachusetts,  withdrew,  from  other  posts  on  the  conti 
nent,  several  regiments  of  troops,  and  encamped  them  on  the 
common,  in  Boston.    He  afterwards  erected  fortifications  on  the 
Neck,  a  narrow  isthmus  which  unites  the  town  with  the  main 
land  ;  and  on  the  night  of  the  first  of  September,  he  seized  the 
powder  deposited  in  the  provincial  arsenal  at  Cambridge. 

27.  The  people,  meanwhile,  were  not  idle.     They  appointed 
delegates  to  a  provincial  congress,  which  assembled  in  the  be 
ginning  of  October.     Mr.  Hancock  was  chosen  president,  and 
the  delegates  resolved,  that,  for  the  defence  of  the  province,  a 
military  force,  to  consist  of  one  fourth  of  the  militia,  should  be 
organized  and  stand  ready  to  march  at  a  minute's  warning  ;  that 
money  should  be  raised  to  purchase  military  stores ;  and  they  ap 
pointed  a  committee  of  supplies,  and  a  committee  of  safety,  to 
sit  during  the  recess. 

2S.  The  more  southern  provinces,  particularly  Pennsylvania, 


1T75.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  137 

Virginia,  and  Maryland,  displayed  the  same  love  of  liberty  and 
determination  to  resist ;  provincial  congresses  were  convened, 
committees  appointed,  and  resolutions  passed,  designed  and 
adapted  to  animate  those  who,  in  Massachusetts,  stood  in  the  post 
of  danger,  and  to  excite  in  all  hearts  that  devotion  to  country 
which  is  alone  capable  of  sustaining  a  people  in  an  arduous 
struggle  with  a  superior  foe. 

29.  In  the  parliament  of  Great  Britain,  American  affairs 
came  on  to  be  discussed,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year  1775. 
Several  plans  of  conciliation  were  brought  forward  by  the  oppo 
sition  and  rejected ;  but  one,  proposed  by  lord  North,  the  prime 
minister,  was  adopted.     The  purport  of  it  was,  that  if  any  colo 
ny  would  engage  to  contribute  a  sum  satisfactory  to  his  majesty, 
for  the  common  defence,  the  parliament  would  forbear  to  tax 
that  colony,  so  long  as  the  contribution  was  punctually  paid. 
This  plan  conceded  nothing.     To  weaken  the  colonies  by  divid 
ing  them  was  so  evidently  the  object,  that  all  indignantly  spurned 
the  proffered  terms. 

30.  In  connexion  with  this  conciliatory  proposition,  as  it  was 
called,  measures  of  punishment  and  intimidation  were  adopted. 
The  northern  colonies  were  prohibited  from  fishing  on  the  banks 
of  Newfoundland,  additional  restrictions  were  imposed  upon  the 
trade  of  all  of  them,  and  several  ships  of  the  line,  and  ten 
thousand  troops,  were  sent -to  America. 

31.  In  the  debates  in  parliament,  the  friends  of  the  colonies, 
although  few,  were  animated  in  their  praise  and  eloquent  in 
their  defence.     The  adherents  of  the  ministry  indulged  in  the 
grossest  abuse  and  ridicule.     The  Americans,  they  said,  were 
naturally  cowards,  habitually  lazy,  and  constitutionally  feeble  ; 
they  were  incapable  of  discipline;  and  a  small  force  would  be 
sufficient  to  conquer  them.     This  ignorance  of  their  character, 
which  was  general  throughout  England,  doubtless  caused  the 
ministry  to  persist  in  measures  which,  had  their  information  been 
correct,  they  would  never  have  ventured  to  undertake. 

32.  On  the  evening  of  the  18th  of  April,  general  Gage  des 
patched  from  Boston  a  body  of  eight  hundred  troops,  to  destroy 
a  quantity  of  provisions  and  military  stores  deposited,  by  the 
committee  of  supplies,  at  Concord.     Intelligence  of  this  move 
ment  was  sent  to  Lexington  and  Concord  a  ftnv  hours  before  the 
troops  embarked.     The  ringing  of  bells  and  the  firing  of  signal 
guns  brought  the  minute  men  together.    Early  the  next  morning, 
those  of  Lexington  assembled  on  the  green  near  the  meeting 
house.     A  few  minutes  afterwards,  the  advanced  body  of  tlie 
regulars    approached   within    musket   shot.      Major   Pitcairn, 
riding  forward,  exclaimed,  "  Disperse,  you  rebels,  throw  down 

M  9. 


138  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775. 

your  arms  and  disperse."  Not  being  instantly  obeyed,  he  dis 
charged  his  pistol  and  ordered  his  men  to  fire.  They  fired  and 
killed  several.  The  militia  dispersed  ;  but  the  firing  continued, 
in  the  whole,  eight  were  killed,  some  of  whom  were  shot  in 
their  concealment  behind  the  fences. 

33.  The  detachment  proceeded  to  Concord.     The  minute 
men  of  that  town  had  also  assembled ;  but,  being  few  in  number, 
they  retired  on  the  approach  of  the  regulars.     These  entered 
the  town  and  destroyed  the  provisions  and  stores.     The  minute 
men  were  reinforced  and  advanced  again  towards  the  regulars. 
A  skirmish  ensued,  in  which  captain  Davis,  of  Acton,  was  killed. 
The  British  troops  were  compelled  to  retreat,  leaving  behind 
them  several  killed  arid  wounded. 

34.  The  whole  country  was  now  in  arms,  and  the  troops  re 
treated  with  precipitation.     The  militia  not  only  pressed  upon 
their  rear,  but  placed  themselves  singly  behind  trees  and  stone 
walls,  and,  from  these  secure  coverts,  fired  upon  them  as  they 
passed.     At  Lexington  they  met  a  reinforcement  under  lord 
Percy,  which  general  Gage  had  despatched  on  receiving  informa 
tion  of  the  occurrences  there  in  the  morning. 

35.  After  resting  a  moment,  the  whole  body  proceeded  towards 
Boston.     In  their  progress  they  were  more  and  more  harassed 
by  the  provincials,  whose  number  hourly  increased,  and  who  be 
came  in  proportion  more  adventurous.     Having  an  intimate 
knowledge  of  all  the  roads,  they  could  pursue  with  less  fatigue, 
and  meet  the  enemy  unexpectedly  at  the  various  windings  ;  and 
being  all  experienced  marksmen,  their  shots  seldom  failed  ot 
effect.     At  sunset,  the  regulars,  almost  overcome  with  fatigue, 
passed  along  Charlestown  Neck,  and  found,  on  Bunker's  Hill, 
a  place  of  security  and  repose. 

36.  In  this  engagement,  sixty -five  of  the  royal  forces  were 
killed,  one  hundred  and  eighty  wounded,  and  twenty-eight  made 
prisoners.    Of  the  provincials,  fifty  were  killed,  thirty-four  were 
wounded,  and  four  were  missing.     The  killed  were  lamented 
and  honored  as  the  first  martyrs  in  the  cause  of  liberty.     In  the 
various  sections  of  country  from  which  they  came,  hatred  of 
(treat  Britain  took  still  deeper  root ;  and  New-England,  con 
nected  more  than  any  other  part  of  the  world,  as  one  great 
family,  by  the  closest  intimacy  of  all  the  inhabitants,  universaily 
felt  the  deprivation  with  a  mixed  feeling  of  sorrow  and  rage. 

37.  Intelligence  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  spread  rapidly 
through   Massachusetts,   and   the    adjoining   provinces.     The 
farmer  left  his  plough  in  the  furrow,  the  mechanic  dropped  the 
utensil  in  his  hand,  and  seizing  their  arms,  all  hastened  to  the 
environs  of  Boston.    In  a  few  days,  a  large  army  was  assembled, 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  139 

which,  under  the  command  .of  general  Ward,  of  Massachusetts, 
and  general  Putnam,  of  Connecticut,  closely  invested  the  town, 
and  alarmed  general  Gage  for  the  safety  of  his  garrison. 

38.  In  the  remoter  provinces,  the  intelligence  was  considered 
of  solemn  and  alarming  import.     The  great  drama  was  opened, 
and  the  part  which  each  should  take  must  immediately  be  chosen. 
By  many  a  resort  to  arms  had  never  been  anticipated.    To  them, 
the  decision  was  more  painful ;  but  all  the  colonies,  except 
Georgia,  adopted  at  once  the  heroic  resolution  to  unite  their 
fortunes  with  those  of  New-England. 

39.  Connecticut  had  poured  forth  her  full  proportion  of  hardy 
yeomanry  to  man  the  lines  around  Boston ;  but  several,  who  re 
mained  at  home,  conceived  the  project  of  surprising  Ticondero- 
ga,  a  fortified  post  on  the  western  shore  of  lake  Champlain,  and 
commanding  the  entrance  into  Canada.     They  communicated 
their  design  to  colonel  Ethan  Allen,  of  Vermont,  who,  upon 
tlieir  arrival  at  Castleton  with  forty  men,  met  them  there  at  the 
head  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  Green  Mountain  boys.     The 
next  day,  captain  Benedict  Arnold,  of  Connecticut,  who,  upon 
the  first  alarm,  had  hastened  to  Boston,  arrived  from  that  place, 
having  conceived  the  same  project  and  been  authorized,  by  the 
committee  of  safety  in  Massachusetts,  to  undertake  it. 

40.  Allen  and  Arnold,  at  the  head  of  the  Green  Mountain 
boys,  hastened  to  Ticonderoga,  and  the  remainder  of  the  party 
to  Skeensborough.     On  the  night  of  the  ninth  of  May,  about 
oighty,  all  that  the  boats  could  carry,  crossed  the  lake,  and,  at 
dawn  of  day,  landed  near  the  fortress.     They  advanced  to  the 
gateway.     A  sentinel  snapped  his  fusee  at  colonel  Allen  and  re 
treated.     The  Americans,  following,  found  the  commander  in 
bed.     Colonel  Allen  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  fort.     "By 
what  authority  do  you  demand  it?"     li  In  the  name,"  replied 
Allen,  "  of  the  Great  Jehovah  and  the  Continental  Congress." 
The  British  officer,  having  but  fifty  men,  saw  that  resistance 
would  be  vain,  and  agreed  to  surrender. 

41.  When  the  remainder  of  the  party  arrived,  they  were  des 
patched,  under  colonel    Seth  Warner,  to  take  possession  of 
Crown  Point ;  and  Arnold,  hastily  manning  a  schooner,  sailed 
to  capture  a  sloop  of  war  lying  at  the  outlet  of  the  lake.     These 
two  expeditions,  as  well  as  that  against  Skeensborough,  were 
successful ;  and  thus  was  obtained,  without  bloodshed,  the  com 
mand  of  those  important  posts,  together  with  more  than  one 
hundred  pieces  of  cannon,  and  other  munitions  of  war.     The 
unexpected  news  of  this  brilliant  success  imparted  higher  courage 
and  animation  to  the  Americans. 

42.  Most  of  the  militia,  who  had  repaired  to  Boston,  return- 


148  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  f  1768. 

cd  soon  after  to  their  homes,  but  a  sufficient  number  remained, 
posted  near  the  Neck,  to  prevent  the  British  from  leaving  the 
town  by  land.  Between  detachments  from  these  and  parties 
of  regulars,  who  were  often  sent  to  collect  forage  on  the  islands 
in  the  harbor,  frequent  skirmishes  took  place,  in  most  of  which 
the  Americans  were  successful. 

43.  In  the  beginning  of  June,  several  transports,  filled  with 
troops,  commanded  by  generals  Howe,  Clinton,  and  Burgoyne, 
arrived  from  England,  and  general  Gage  began  to  act  with  more 
decision  and  vigor.      He  issued  a  proclamation  declaring  those 
in  arms,  and  all  who  aided  tnem,  rebels  and  traitors,  and  threat 
ened  to  punish  them  as  such,  unless  they  immediately  returned 
foiheir  peaceful  occupations.   .  He  promised  his  majesty's  par 
don  to  all  who  should  in  this  manner  give  proof  of  their  repen 
tance  and  amendment,  excepting  Samuei  Adams  and  John  Han 
cock,  whose  crimes,  he  alleged,  were  too  flagitious  to  admit  of 
pardon. 

44.  This  proclamation,  and  the  arrival  of  the  troops,  far  from 
dismaying,  aroused  the  people  to  greater  activity  and  watchful 
ness.     Again  the  militia  assembled   and   surrounded   Boston. 
Unwilling  to  endure  the  inconvenience  and  disgrace  of  this  con 
finement,  general  Gage  made  preparation  to  penetrate,  with  a 
portion  of  his  army,  into  the  country.     To  prevent  this,  the 
provincial  generals  resolved  to  occupy  Bunker's  Hill,  an  emi 
nence  in  Charlestown,  situated  on  a  peninsula  that  approaches 
near  to  Boston. 

45.  On  the  evening  of  the  16th  of  June,  a  thousand  men, 
under  the  command  of  colonel  Prescot,  of  Massachusetts,  Col. 
Stark  from  New-Hampshire,  and  captain  JKnowlton,  from  Con 
necticut,  were  despatched  on  this  service.     They  were  conduct 
ed,  by  mistake,  to  Breed's  Hill,  which  was  nearer  to  the  water 
•and  to  Boston,  than  Bunker's.     At  twelve  o'clock,  they  began  to 
throw  up  entrenchments,  and  by  dawn  of  day,  had  completed  a 
redoubt  eight  rods  square.     As  soon  as  they  were  discovered, 
they  were  fired  upon  from  a  ship  of  war  and  several  floating 
batteries  lying  near,  and  from  a  fortification  in  Boston  opposite 
the  redoubt.     The  Americans,  nevertheless,  encouraged  by  gen 
eral  Putnam,  who  often  visited  them  on  the  hill,  continued  to 
labor  until  they  had  finished  a  slight  breastwork  extending  from 
the  redoubt  eastward  to  the  water.     And  in  the  morning  they 
received  a  reinforcement  of  five  hundred  men. 

46.  The  temerity  of  the  provincials  astonished  and  incensed 
general  Gage,  and  he  determined  to  drive  them  immediately 
from  their  position.     About  noon,  a  body  of  three  thousand 
regulars,  commanded  by  general  Howej  left  Boston  in  boats 


1775.  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  141 

and  landed  in  Charlestown,  at  the  extreme  point  of  the  peninsula. 
Generals  Clinton  and  Burgoyne  took  their  station  on  an  emi 
nence  in  Boston,  commanding  a  distinct  view  of  the  hill.  The 
spires  of  the  churches,the  roofs  of  the  houses,  and  all  the  heights, 
in  the  neighborhood  were  covered  with  people,  waiting,  in 
dreadful  anxiety,  to  witness  the  approaching  battle. 

47.  The  regulars,  forming  at  the  place  of  landing,  marched 
slowly  up  the  hill,  halting  frequently  to  allow  time  to  the  artille 
ry  to  demolish  the  works.     While  advancing,  the  village  of 
Charlestown,  containing  about  four  hundred  houses,  was  set  on 
fire  by  order  of  general  Gage.     The  flames  ascended  to  a  lofty 
height,  presenting  a  sublime  and  magnificent  spectacle.     The 
Americans  reserved  their  fire  until  the  British  were  within  ten 
rods  of  the  redoubt ;  then,  taking  a  steady  aim,  they  began  a  fu 
rious  discharge.     Entire  ranks  of  the  assailants  fell.     The  ene 
my  halted  and  returned  the  fire  ;  but  that  from  the  redoubt  con 
tinuing  incessant  and  doing  great  execution,  they  retreated  in 
haste  and  disorder  down  the  hill,  some  even  taking  refuge  in 
their  boats. 

48.  The  officers  were  seen  running  hither  and  thither,  col 
lecting,  arranging  and  addressing  their  men,  who  were  at  length 
induced  again  to  ascend  the  hill.     The  Americans  now  reserved 
their  fire  until  the  enemy  had  approached  even  nearer  than  be 
fore,  when  a  tremendous  volley  was  at  once  poured  upon  them. 
Terrified  by  the  carnage  around  them,  they  again  retreated  with 
precipitation,  and  such  was  the  panic  that  general  Howe  was 
left  almost  alone  on  the  hill  side,  his  troops  having  deserted  him 
and  nearly  every  officer  around  him  being  killed. 

49.  At  this  moment,  general  Clinton,  who  had  observed  from 
Boston  the  progress  of  the  battle,  feeling  that  British  honor  was 
at  stake,  hastened  with  a  reinforcement  to  the  assistance  of  his 
countrymen.     By  his  exertions,  the  troops  were  a  third  time 
rallied,  and  were  compelled  by  the  officers,  who  marched  behind 
them  with  drawn  swords,  to  advance  again  towards  the  Ameri 
cans.     The  fire  from  the  ships  and  batteries  was  redoubled,  and 
a  few  pieces  of  cannon  had  been  so  placed  as  to  rake  the  inte 
rior  of  the  breast  work  from  end  to  end. 

50.  The   provincials,   having  expended  their  ammunition, 
awaited  in  silence  the  approach  of  the  regulars.     The  latter  en 
tered  the  redoubt.     The  former,  having  no  bayonets,  defended 
themselves,  for  a  short  time,  with  the  butt  end  of  their  muskets. 
From  this  unequal  contest  they  were  soon  compelled  to  retire. 
As  they  retreated  over  Charlestown  Neck,  the  fire  from  thf^ 
floating  batteries  was  incessant ;  but,  providentially,  a  few  only 


142  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775. 

were  killed.     The  enemy  had  sustained  too  much  injury  to  think 
of  pursuit. 

51.  In  this  desperate  and  bloody  conflict,  the  royal  forces 
consisted,  as  has  been  stated,  of  three  thousand  men,  and  the 
provincials  of  but  fifteen  hundred.     Of  the  former,  one  thou 
sand  and  fifty-four  were  killed  and  wounded  ;  of  the  latter,  four 
hundred  and  fifty-three.     This  disparity  of  loss,  the  steadiness 
and  bravery  displayed  by  their  recent,  undisciplined  levies,  oc 
casioned  among  the  Americans  the  highest  exultation,  and,  in 
their  view,  more  than  counterbalanced  the  loss  of  position.     If 
this  is  a  British  victory,  how  many  such  victories,  they  trium 
phantly  asked,  can  their  army -achieve  without  ruin  ? 

52.  But  deep  and  heart-felt  sorrow  was  intermingled  with 
their  rejoicings.     Among  the  killed,  was  doctor  Warren,  a  pa 
triot,  who,  at  an  early  period,  had  espoused  with  warmth  the 
cause  of  freedom  ;  who  had  displayed  great  intrepidity  in  seve 
ral  skirmishes  ;  had  four  days  before  been  elected  major  gene 
ral  ;  and  had,  on  the  fatal  day,  hastened  to  the  field  of  battle,  to 
serve  his  country  as  a  volunteer.     For  his  many  virtues,  his  ele 
gant  manners,  his  generous  devotion  to  his  country,  his  high  at 
tainments  in  political  science,  he  was  beloved  and  respected  by 
his  republican  associates  ;  and  to  him  their  affections  pointed  as 
a  future  leader,  in  a  cause  dear  to  their  hearts,  and  intimately 
connected  with  their  glory. 

53.  In  the  midst  of  these  military  transactions,  a  continental 
congress  assembled  at  Philadelphia.     It  comprised  delegates 
from  twelve  colonies,  all  of  whom  were  animated  with  a  deter 
mined  spirit  of  opposition  to  parliamentary  taxation.     A  majori 
ty,  however,  had  not  yet  formed  the  hardy  resolution  to  separate 
from  the  mother  country,  and  aim  at  independence.     The  mea 
sures  partook  of  the  opposite  feelings  of  the  members.     Mr. 
Hancock,  the  proscribed  patriot,  was  chosen  president ;  they 
resolved  that  another  humble  petition  for  redress  of  grievances, 
should  be  presented  to  the  king ;  but  they  also  resolved  that 
means  of  defence  should  be  immediately  prepared,  and  proceed- 
od  to  the  choice  of  oincers  to  command  their  united  forces. 

54.  To  induce  the  friends  of  liberty  in  the  southern  provinces, 
to  embark  more  warmly  in  the  cause  of  resistance,  the  northern 
delegates  determined  to  give  their  suffrages,  for  a  commander- 
In-chief,  to  a  person  residing  in  that  quarter.     Fortunately,  one 
was  found  eminently  qualified  for  the  office.     By  unanimous 
vote  of  the  congress,  G  EORGE  WASHINGTON,  then  present,  as  de 
legate  from  Virginia,  was  elected.     He  had  served  with  high 
reputation,  in  the  late  war  with  France ;  was  distinguished  in 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  143 

his  native  province  for  his  military  knowledge,  his  great  wealth, 
the  dignity  of  his  deportment,  his  unsuspected  integrity,  and  his 
ardent  attachment  to  the  interests  of  his  country. 

55.  The  president,  addressing  him  in  his  seat,  announced  to 
him  the  choice  which  the  congress  had  made.     Washington  de 
clared  his  acceptance  with  a  diffidence  which  gave  to  his  great 
talents  a  brighter  lustre ;    and   assured  congress  that,   as  no 
pecuniary   compensation   could  have    tempted   him  to  accept 
the   office,  at  the  sacrifice  of  his  domestic   ease  and   happi 
ness,  he  would  receive  no  pay,  and  would  ask  only  the  remune 
ration  of  his  expenses.     Artemas  Ward,  Charles  Lee,  Philip 
Schuyler,  and  Israel  Putnam,  were  then  chosen  major  generals, 
and  Horatio  Gates  adjutant  general.     Lee  had   lately  held  the 
office  of  colonel,  and  Gates  that  of  major,  in  the  British  army. 

56.  Congress  also  resolved  that,  for  defraying  the  expenses 
which  might  be  incurred,  hills  of  credit,  or  paper  money,  to  the 
amount  of  three  millions  of  dollars,  should  be  issued,  and  pledged 
the  colonies  for  their  redemption.     A  solemn  and  dignified  de 
claration,  setting  forth  the  causes  and  necessity  of  taking  up 
arms,  was  prepared  to  be  published  to  the  army  in  orders,  anci 
to  the  people  from  the  pulpit.     After  particularizing  the  aggres 
sions  of  Great  Britain,  with  the  energy  of  men  feeling  unmerited 
injury,  they  exclaim : 

57.  "  But  why  should  we  enumerate  our  injuries  in  detail]  By 
one  statute  it  is  declared  that  parliament  can  of  right  make  laws 
to  bind  us  in  all  cases  whatsoever.     What  is  to  defend  us  against 
so  enormous,  so  unlimited  a  power  ?,    Not  a  single  man  of  those 
who  assume  it,  was  chosen  by  us,  or  is  subject  co  our  control  or 
influence ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  they  are  all  of  them  exempt 
from  the  operation  of  such  laws,  and  an  American  revenue,  if 
not  diverted  from  the  ostensible  purposes  for  which  it  is  raised, 
would  actually  lighten  their  own  burdens,  in  proportion  as  it 
increases  ours.     We  saw  the  misery  to  which  such  despotism 
would  reduce  us.     We,  for  ten  years,  incessantly  and  ineffec 
tually  besieged  the  throne  as  supplicants  ;  we  reasoned,  we  re 
monstrated  with  parliament  in  the  most,  mild  and  decent  lan 
guage. 

58.  "  We  are  now  reduced  to  the  alternative  of  choosing  an 
unconditional  submission  to  the  will  of  irritated  ministers,  or  re 
sistance  by  force.     The  latter  is  our  choice.     We  have  counted 
the  cost  of  this  contest,  and  find  nothing  so  dreadful  as  voluntary 
slavery.     Honor,  justice,  and  humanity  forbid  us  tamely  to  sur 
render  that  freedom  which  w~e  received  from  our  gallant  ances 
tors,  and  which  our  innocent  posterity  have  a  right  to  receive 
from  us.     We  cannot  endure  the  infamy  and  guilt  of  resigning 


144  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775 

succeeding  generations  to  that  wretchedness  which  inevitably 
awaits  them  if  we  basely  entail  hereditary  bondage  upon  them. 

59.  "  Our  cause  is  just :  our  union  is  perfect.     Our  internal 
resources  are  great;  and,  if  necessary,  foreign  assistance  is  un 
doubtedly  attainable.     We  gratefully  acknowledge,  as  a  signal 
instance  of  the  divine  favor  towards  us,  that  his  providence  would 
not  permit  us  to  be  called  into  this  severe  controversy,  until  we 
were  grown  up  to  our  present  strength,  had  been  previously  ex 
ercised  in  warlike  operations,  and  possessed  the  means  of  de 
fending  ourselves. 

60.  "  With  hearts  fortified  by  these  animating  reflections,  we 
most  solemnly,  before  God  and  the  world,  DECLARE,  that  exert 
ing  the  utmost  energy  of  those  powers,  which  our  beneficent 
Creator  hath  graciously  bestowed,  the  arms  we  have  been  com 
pelled  by  our  enemies  to  assume,  we  will,  in  defiance  of  every 
hazard,  with  unabating  firmness  and  perseverance,  employ  for 
the  preservation  of  our  liberties,  being,  with  one  mind,  resolved 
to  die  freemen  rather  than  to  live  slaves." 

61.  Soon  after  his  election,  general  Washington,  accompa 
nied  by  general  Lee,  and  several  other  gentlemen,  set  out  for 
the  camp  at  Cambridge.     In  every  place  through  which  he 
passed,  he  received  the  highest  honors.     A  committee  from  the 
provincial  congress  of  Massachusetts,  met  him  at  Springfield, 
and  conducted  him  to  head-quarters,  where  an  other  committee 
presented  him  a  respectful  and  affectionate  address. 

62.  He  found  the  army,  consisting  of  fourteen  thousand  men, 
posted  on  the  heights  around  Boston,  forming  a  line  which  ex 
tended  from  Roxbury  on  the  right,  to  the  river  Mystic  on  the 
left,  a  distance  of  twelve  miles.     The  troops  were  ardently  de 
voted  to  the  cause  of  liberty,  but  destitute  of  discipline,  averse  to 
subordination,  without  powder,  without  tents,  and  without  most 
of  the  conveniences  usually  provided  for  regular  armies. 

63.  With  the  assistance  of  general  Gates,  he  introduced  some 
degree  of  regularity  arid  system.     Several  barrels  of  powder 
were  obtained  from  New- Jersey,  and  captain  Manly,  comman 
der  of  the  privateer.  Lee,  captured  an  ordnance  ship,  containing 
arms,  ammunition,  and  a  complete  assortment  of  such  working 
tools  as  were  most  needed  in  the  American  carnp.     This  provi 
dential  capture  was  followed  by  others  which  supplied  the  most 
pressing  wants  of  the  army,  enabled  it  to  continue,  through  the 
year,  the  blockade  of  Boston,  and  contributed  greatly  to  distress 
the  enemy,  for  whose  use  the  cargoes  were  destined. 

64.  Events  occurring  this  year,  in  the  southern  colonies,  still 
farther  weakened  the  attachment  of  the  people  to  Great  Britain. 
Jn  Virginia.  Lord  Dunmore.  the  governor,  seized  by  night,  some 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR  145 

powder  belonging  to  the  colony,  and  conveyed  it  on  board  a 
British  ship  in  James  river.  Intelligence  of  this  transaction 
reaching  Patrick  Henry,  he  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  the 
independent  companies  in  his  vicinity,  and  marched  towards  the 
seat  of  government,  with  the  avowed  purpose  of  obtaining,  bv 
force,  restitution  of  the  powder,  or  its  value.  He  was  met  by  r<. 
messenger,  who  paid  him  the  value  of  the  powder,  when  he  and 
the  militia  returned  to  their  homes. 

65.  Alarmed  by  this  display  of  spirit  and  patriotism,  lord 
Dunmore  fortified  his  palace.     From  this  castle,  he  issued  a 
proclamation  charging  Henry  and  his  associates  with  rebellious 
practices,  which  offended  the  people,  who  highly  approved  their 
conduct.     Other   causes   increasing  the  popular  ferment,  he 
quitted  his  palace,  and  repaired  to  a  ship  of  war  then  lying  at 
Yorktown. 

66.  In  November,  he  issued  another  proclamation,  offering 
freedom  to  those  slaves  belonging  to  rebel  masters,  who  should 
join  his  majesty's  troops  at  Yorktown.    Several  hundred,  in  con 
sequence,  repaired  to  that  place.     A  body  of  militia  immediately 
assembled,  and,  while  posted  near  the  city,  were  attacked,  with 
great  bravery,  by  the  regulars,  royalists,  and  negroes.     The 
militia,  repelling  the  attack  with  equal  bravery,  gained  a  decisive 
victory.     Lord  Dunmore  then  evacuated  the  city,  and,  followed 
by  his  white  and  black  forces,  sought  refuge  on  board  the  ships 
of  his  majesty.     Soon  after,  Norfolk,  set  on  fire  by  his  order, 
was  mostly  consumed,  and  its  destruction  was  completed  by  the 
provincials,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  deriving  supplies  from 
that  quarter. 

67.  The  governor  of  North  Carolina,  following  the  example 
of  lord  Dunmore,  fortified  his  palace  at  Newbern.     This  caused 
a  commotion  among  the  people,  which  induced  him  to  retire  on 
board  a  ship  in  the  harbor.     While  there,  he  made  zealous  ex 
ertions  to  organize  a  party  in  favor  of  the  royal  cause  ;  and  a 
band  of  Scotch  Highlanders,  settled  in  the  interior  country, 
listened  to  his  persuasions.     On  their  march  to  the  sea  coast, 
they  were  met  by  a  party  of  militia,  who  attacked  and  dispersed 
them.     This  early  victory  secured  the  predominance  of  the 
whigs,  and  crushed  the  hopes  and  spirits  of  the  tories. 

68.  South  Carolina  had  always,  with  great  unanimity  and 
zeal,  resisted  parliamentary  taxation ;  and  soon  after  the  battle 
of  Lexington,  the  governor,  lord  William  Campbell,  apprehen 
eive  of  danger  to  his  person,  retired  from  the  province.    In  July, 
Georgia  chose  delegates  to  the  continental  congress,  increasing 
to  THIRTEEN  the  number  of  the  UNITED  COLONIES. 

69.  The  province  of  N«w-York  contained  many  warm  adv<» 

AT  / 


146  KE\OLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775 

cates  for  freedom  ;  but  its  capital  had  so  long  been  the  head 
quarters  of  the  British  army  in  America,  that  many  of  the  princi 
pal  inhabitants,  having  contracted  intimate  relations  with  British 
officers,  had  become  devoted  to  the  royal  cause.  The  assembly, 
acting  under  their  influence,  declined  to  choose  delegates  to  the 
continental  congress  held  in  May,  1775 ;  but  the  people,  a 
majority  of  whom  were  actuated  by  different  feelings,  elected  a 
provincial  congress,  by  whom  those  delegates  were  chosen. 

70.  When  intelligence  of  the  battle  of  Lexington  reached  the 
city,  captain  Sears,  an  active  and  intrepid  leader  of  the  "sons  of 
liberty,"  took  effectual  measures  to  prevent  vessels  bound  to 
ports  in  America,  where  the  royal  cause  prevailed,  from  sailing. 
An  association  was  also  formed,  consisting  of  one  thousand  of 
the  principal  inhabitants,  who  bound  themselves  to  assist  in  car 
rying  into  execution  whatever  measure  might  be  recommended, 
by  the  continental  congress,  to  prevent  the  execution  of  the  op 
pressive  acts  of  the  British  parliament. 

71.  The  ministry,  desirous  of  retaining  in  obedience  this  im 
portant  colony,  appointed  Mr.  Tryon,  to  be  governor  over  it. 
He  had  before  filled  the  same  office  ;  was  a  man  of  address,  ami 
greatly  beloved  by  the  people.     He  came  fully  empowered  to 
gain  adherents  by  dispensing  promises  and  money  at  his  discre 
tion.     The  success  of  his  intrigues  alarmed  congress,  who,  hav 
ing  particular  reference  to  him,  recommended  that  "  all  persons 
whose  going  at  large  might  endanger  the  liberties  of  America, 
should  be  arrested  and  secured."     Gaining  early  intelligence  of 
this,  he  also  sought  refuge  on  board  a  ship  in  the  harbor. 

72.  Although  the  autumn  of  1775  was  not  distinguished  by 
any  brilliant  exploit,  yet  the  time  of  congress  and  of  the  com- 
mander-in-chief,  was  not  unprofitably  employed.     Constant  at 
tention  was  paid  to  the  discipline  of  the  troops  ;  arrangements 
were  made  to  obtain  a  supply  of  military  stores ;  the  building  and 
equipment  of  a  naval  force  was  commenced  ;  two  expeditions 
were  organized  and  despatched  against  Canada,  one  by  the  way 
of  lake  Champlain,  the  other  of  the  river  Kennebeck;  and 
general  Lee,  with  twelve  hundred  volunteers  from  Connecticut, 
was  directed  to  proceed  to  New-York,  and,  with  the  aid  of  the 
inhabitants,  fortify  the  city  and  the  highlands. 

73.  The  abolition  of  all  legal  authority  in  the  colonies  was  an 
evil  for  which,  though  less  than  had  been  anticipated,  it  was  yet 
expedient  to  provide  a  remedy.     New-Hampshire  applied  to 
congress  for  advice  on  this  subject.     A  .favorable  opportunity 
wus  thus  presented  to  liie  zealous  patriots  in  congress,  to  pro 
pose  a  remedy  for  the  evil,  which  should,  at  the  same  time,  ex- 
iub?t  in  pttteticejiie  mm! am ental  principle  of  their  political  creuu. 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  147 

that  all  legitimate  authority  must  he  derived  from  the  people  ; 
and  should  also  prepare  the  way  for  their  darling  object,  a  de 
claration  of  independence. 

74.  A  resolution  was  introduced,  recommending  that  a, con 
vention  of  representatives,  freely  elected  by  the  people  of  that 
colony,  should  be  called,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  such  a 
form  of  government  as  they  might  deem  proper.     It  was  warm 
ly  opposed  by  those  members  who  were  yet  desirous  of  an  ac 
commodation  w^ith  the  mother  country.     An  amendment  being 
made,  providing  that  the  government  established  should  con 
tinue  in  force  no  longer  than  the  existing  contest  with  Great 
Britain,  the  resolution  passed.     Representatives  were  accord 
ingly  chosen,  who,  on  the  5th  of  January,  1776,  adopted  a  writ 
ten   constitution,  acknowledging  no  source  of  power  but  the 
people.     In  other  colonies,  the  same  course  was  soon  afterwards 

;  pursued. 

75.  A  transaction,  displaying  the  vindictive  feelings  of  the 
British,  occurred  in  October.     The  ministry  had  issued  orders 
to  the  officers  of  the  navy  to  proceed,  as  hi  the  case  of  actual 
rebellion,  against  all  the  colonial  seaports  accessible  to  ships  of 
war,  which  should  discover  symptoms  of  attachment  to  the  cause 
of  liberty.     Falmouth,   a  flourishing  town  in  Massachusetts, 
having  given  some  particular  offence,  its  destruction,  under  color 
of  these  orders,  was  resolved  on,  and  captain  Mowatt,  with  four 
fillips,  was  despatched  on  that  service. 

76.  The  citizens  made  an  effort,  by  negotiation,  to  avert  their 
ruin  ;  but  as  the  terms  which  were  offered  could  not  be  accept 
ed  without  dishonor,  they  were  at  once  rejected.     The  bom 
bardment  immediately  commenced,  the  town  was  set  on  fire, 
and  four  hundred  buildings  reduced  to  ashes.     This  wanton  act 
of  devastation   was  strongly  reprobated  throughout  America, 
and  served  to  inflame,  rather  than  to  intimidate,  the   people. 
The  town  has  since  been  rebuilt,  its  name  changed  to  Portland, 
and  it  is  now  the  capital  of  Maine. 

77.  As  the  year  1775  drew  near  to  a  close,  the  condition  of 
the  army,  employed  in  the  blockade  of  Boston,  engaged  the  at 
tention  of  congress.     A  speedy  adjustment  of  the  dispute  being 
at  first  expected,  the  men  had  been  enlisted  to  serve  only  until 
the  first  of  January.     No  prospect  now  appeared  of  an  imme 
diate  accommodation.     It  was  therefore   resolved  to   form  a 
new  army,  to  consist  of  twenty  thousand  men,  and  to  be  raised, 
as  far  as  practicable,  from  the  troops  then  in  service.     Unfor 
tunately  it  was  determined,  that  the  enlistments  should  be  made 
for  one  year  only,  an  error  the  consequences  of  which  were  af 
tmvards  very  severely  felt. 


148  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1776. 

78.  It  was  supposed  that  most  of  those  whom  patriotism  had 
impelled  to  join  the  army,  would  continue  in  the  service  of  their 
country  ;  but  when  the  experiment  was  made,  it  was  found  that 
their  ardor  had  considerably  abated.     The  blockade  of  Boston 
presented  no  opportunity  of  acquiring  glory,  by  deeds  of  noble 
daring ;  the  fatiguing  duties  of  the  camp  wore  upon  their  spirits, 
affected  their  health,  and  produced  an  unconquerable  longing  to 
revisit  their  homes.     Notwithstanding  the  great  exertions  of 
general  Washington,  no  more  than  half  the  estimated  number 
had  been  enlisted  at  the  close  of  the  year. 

79.  The  people  and  the  troops,  supposing  the  army  to  be 
stronger  than  it  was,  expressed  great  dissatisfaction  at  the  inac 
tivity  of  the  commander-in-chief,  which  some  imputed  to  dis 
honorable  motives.     An  attack  upon  Boston  was  loudly  de 
manded.     Washington  three  times  proposed  it  to  a  council  of 
war ;  but  in  every  instance  the  decision  was  unanimous  against'' 
it.     At  the  last  time,  however,  the  council  recommended  that 
the  town  should  be  more  closely  invested.     On  the  evening  of 
the  fourth  of  March,  1776,  the  attention  of  the  enemy  being 
diverted,  by  a  brisk  cannonade,  to  a  different  quarter,  a  party  of 
troops,  under  the  command  of  general  Thomas,  took  possession, 
in  silence,  of  Dorchester  heights,  and  with  almost  incredible  in 
dustry,  erected,  before  morning,  a  line  of  fortifications  which 
commanded  the  harbor  and  the  town. 

80.  The  view  of  these  works,  raised  like  an  exhalation  from 
the  earth,  excited  the  astonishment  of  general  Howe,  who,  on 
the  resignation  of  general  Gage,  had  been  appointed  comman 
der-in-chief.     He  saw  that  he  must  immediately  dislodge  the 
Americans  or  evacuate  the   town.     The  next  day  he  ordered 
3000  men  to  embark  in  boats  and  proceeded,  by  way  of  Castle 
Island,  to  attack  the  works  on  the  heights.     A  furious  storm 
dispersed  them  ;  the  fortifications,  in  the  mean  time,  were  ren 
dered  too  strong  to  be  forced  ;   and   general  Howe  was  com 
pelled  to  seek  safety  in  an  immediate  departure  from  Boston. 

81.  Of  the  determination  of  the  enemy  to  evacuate  the  town, 
general  Washington  was  soon  apprized.     The  event  being  rer« 
tain,  he  did  not  wish  by  an  attack  to  hasten  it,  as  the  fortifica 
tions  at  New-York,  to  which  place  he  presumed  they  would 
repair,  were  not  in  sufficient  forwardness  to  protect  it.      The 
embarkation  was  made  on  the  17th  of  March  ;  a  few  days  after, 
the  whole  fleet  set  sail,  and  the  American  army  hastened,  by 
divisions,  to  New- York. 

82.  The  acquision  of  this  important  town  occasioned  great 
and  general  rejoicing.     The  thanks  of  congress  were  voted  to 
general  TV  ashington  and  his  troops,  for  their  wise  and  spirited 


1775.  J  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  149 

conduct,  and  a  medal  of  gold  was  ordered  to  be  struck  in  com 
memoration  of  the  event.  The  British  fleet,  instead  of  convey 
ing  the  troops  to  New- York,  steered  for  Halifax,  having  on 
board  a  large  number  of  tories  and  their  baggage. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 
EXPEDITION  AGAINST  CANADA. 


IT  has  been  already  stated,  that  two  expeditions  were  des 
patched  against  Canada.  The  command  of  that,  which  was  to 
proceed  by  way  of  lake  Champlain,  was  given  to  general  Schuy- 
ler  of  New- York.  The  number  of  troops  to  be  employed  was 
fixed  at  three  thousand,  and  they  were  to  be  drawn  from  New- 
York  and  New-England.  Governor  Carleton,  gaining  intelli 
gence  of  the  project,  despatched  about  eight  hundred  men  to 
strengthen  the  works  at  St.  Johns,  on  the  river  Sorel,  a  position 
commanding  the  usual  entrance  into  Canada. 

2.  Brigadier  general  Montgomery,  a  young  officer  of  brilliant 
talents,  and  ambitious  of  glory,  was  ordered  to  proceed  in  ad 
vance,  with  the  troops,  then  in  readiness,  and  attack  this  impor 
tant  position,  before  it  had  been  made  too  strong  to  be  taken. 
When  commencing  his  career,  the  glory  and  fate  of  Wolfe  were 
present  to  his  thoughts,  and  to  his  wife  his  parting  words  were, 
"  you  shall  never  blush   for  your   Montgomery."      General 
Schuyler  soon  followed,  and  on  arriving  ut  Isle  aux  Noix,  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  British  works,  he  addressed  a  proclamation  to  the 
Canadians,  exhorting  them  to  join  their  brethren  in  the  cause  of 
freedom,  and  declaring  that  the  American  army  came  as  friends 
of  the  inhabitants,  and  as  enemies  only  of  the  British  garrisons. 

3.  The  fortification  at  St.  Johns  being  found  stronger  than 
was  anticipated,  general  Schuyler  returned  to  Albany  to  hasten 
the  departure  of  the  remaining  troops,  artillery,  and  munitions  of 
war.     He  was  prevented,  by  a  severe  illness,  from  again  joining 
the  army,  and  the  chief  command  devolved  upon  Montgomery. 
On  receiving  a  reinforcement,  he  invested  St.  Johns  :  but  being 
yet  almost  destitute  of  battering  cannon  and  of  powder,  he  made 
no  progress  in  the  siege.     And  the  soldiers,  carrying  with  them 
into  the  field  that  attachment  to  liberty  and  equality  which  gave 

TV  «> 


150  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775. 

birth  to  the  contest,  displayed  such  utter  aversion  to  discipline 
and  subordination  as  increased,  in  a  great  degree,  his  difficulties 
and  vexations. 

4.  Colonel  Allen,  the  hero  of  Ticonderoga,  had  a  command 
tinder  Montgomery.      Having  been  despatched,   with   major 
Brown,  into  the  interior  of  Canada,  he  was,  on  his  return,  per 
suaded  by  the  latter  to  undertake  the  rash  project  of  attacking 
Montreal.     He  divided  his  detachment,  consisting  of  less  than 
tiiree  hundred  men,  into  two  parties,  intending  to  assail  the  city 
at  opposite  points.      Major  Brown  was  prevented  from  executing 
his  part  of  the  enterprise.     Colonel  Allen  and  his  small  party, 
opposed  by  the  whole  force  of  the  enemy  under  governor  Carle- 
ton,  fought  with  desperate  valor.     Many  were  killed  ;  the  sur- 
vivers,  overpowered  by  numbers,  were  compelled  to  surrender. 
The  governor,  viewing  Allen,  not  as  the  intrepid  soldier,  but  as 
a  factious  rebel,  loaded  him  with  irons  and  sent  him  to  England 
for  trial. 

5.  On  the  18th  of  October,  a  fortunate  event  brightened  the 
prospects  of  the  Americans.     Fort  Chamblee,  situated  several 
miles  north  of  St.  Johns,  was  supposed  to  be  beyond  their  reach, 
and  was  but  slightly  guarded.     A  detachment  under  majors 
Brown  and  Livingston,  attacking  it  unexpectedly,  gained  posses 
sion  of  it  with  little  loss.     Several  pieces  of  cannon,  and  120 
oarrels  of  powder,  were  the  fruits  of  the  victory.     The  Ameri 
cans,  encouraged  by  success,  immediately,  in  defiance  of  the 
continual  fire  of  the  enemy,  erected  a  battery  near  fort  St. 
John's,  and  made  preparations  for  a  severe  cannonade,  and  an 
assault,  if  necessary. 

6.  At  this  juncture,  Montgomery  received  intelligence  of  an 
action  between  governor  Carleton  and  a  body  of  Green  Moun 
tain  boys  commanded  by  colonel  Warner.     The  former,  elated 
by  his  victory  over  Allen,  collected  about  eight  hundred  regulars, 
militia  and  Indians,  with  the  view  of  raising  the  siege  of  St. 
John's.     In  full  confidence  of  success,  they  left  Montreal,  em 
barked  in  boats,  and  proceeded  towards  the  southern  shore  of  the 
St.  Lawrence.     In  the  bushes  at  the  water's  edge  colonel  War 
ner,  having  received  information  of  their  purpose,  concealed 
three  hundred  men,  who,  when  the  enemy  approached  the  shore, 
poured  upon  them  a  fire  so  unexpected  and  destructive,  that  the 
flotilla  returned,  in  confusion,  to  Montreal. 

7.  On  the  first  of  November,  Montgomery  commenced  a 
heavy  cannonade  of  the  enemy's  works,  which  was  continued 
through  the  day.     In  the  evening,  he  sent  to  the  British  com 
mander,  by  one  of  governor  Carleton's  men,  who  had  been  made 
prisoner  by  colonel  Warner,  intelligence  of  the  governor's  de- 


1775.1  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  151 

feat,  and  demanded  the  surrender  of  the  fort.  It  was  accord 
ingly  surrendered,  and  the  next  morning  entered  by  the  Ameri 
can  troops. 

8.  Montgomery  hastened  to  Montreal,  and,  at  the  same  time, 
despatched  clown  the  Sorel,  the  mouth  of  which  is  below  that 
city,  a  naval  force  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  British  to  Quebec. 
Governor  Carleton,  believing  the  city  not  tenable,  quitted  it  in 
the  night,  and,  in  a  boat  with  muffled  oars,  was  conveyed  through 
the  American  squadron.     The  next  day,  general  Montgomery 
entered  the  city,  and  although  no  terms  were  granted  to  the  in 
habitants,  he  treated  them  with  the  kindness  of  a  fellow  citizen, 

declaring  that  the  property,  rights,  and  religion  of  every  indivi 
dual  should  be  sacredly  respected. 

9.  By  his  benevolence  and  address,  he  gained  the  affections 
of  the  Canadians,  many  of  whom  joined  his  standard.     More, 
however,  of  his  own  troops,  whose  term  of  enlistment  had  ex 
pired,  insisted  on  returning  to  their  homes.     So  dear  to  them 
were  the  delights  of  the  domestic  fireside,  and  so  vividly  were 
they  recalled  to  memory  by  the  severe  duties  of  the  campaign, 
that  the  high  character  of  the  commander,  his  address,  his  en 
treaties,  availed  nothing  to  induce  them  to  proceed  on  the  expe 
dition.     With  the  remnant  of  his  army,  consisting  of  no  more 
than  three  hundred  men,  he  began  his  march  towards  Quebec, 
expecting  to  meet  there  an  other  body  of  troops  sent  to  act  in 
concert  with  him. 

10.  These  troops  were  a  detachment  from  the  army  before 
Boston,  consisting  of  one  thousand  men,  and  commanded  by 
colonel  Arnold;  who,  as  a  soldier,  was  adventurous,  impetuous, 
and  fearless  ;  as  a  man,  overbearing,  avaricious,  and  profligate. 
Their  route  lay  along  the  coast  to  the  mouth  of  the  Kennebec, 
in  Maine,  thence  up  that  river  to  its  source,  and  thence,  over 
lofty  mountains,  through  a  wilderness  unexplored  by  civilized 
man,  to  the  river  St.  Lawrence.     They  were  unable  to  begin 
their  march  before  the  middle  of  September ;  on  the  22d,  they 
embarked  in  boats,  at  Gardner,  on  the  Kennebec,  and  proceeded 
to  ascend  that  river. 

11.  They  found  the  current  rapid,  and  the  navigation  inter 
rupted  by  frequent  cataracts.     Around  these  they  were  obliged 
to  draw,  by  hand,  their  provisions,  arms,  and  even  their  boats. 
Nor  was  their  route  on  land  less  difficult.     They  had  deep 
swamps  to  pass,  and  craggy  mountains  to  ascend.     The  toil  was 
so  incessant,  and  the  fatigue  so  great,  that  many,  failing  sick, 
were  sent  back,  arid  along  with  these  the  rear  division,  com 
manded  by  colonel  Enos,  returned  without  the  knowledge  of 
ArnoH. 


152  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775 

12.  Before  they  reached  the  height  of  land,  provisions  became 
scarce.     Dogs,  cartridge  boxes,  and  shoes  were  eaten.     At  the 
summit,  the  whole  stock  was  divided  equally  among  them,  each 
receiving  but  two  quarts  of  flour  as  his  portion.     The  order  of 
march  was  no  longer  observed.     The  soldiers  were  directed  to 
proceed,  singly  or  by  companies,  as  they  might  choose,  slowly 
or  with  speed,  as  they  were  able,  to  the  nearest  Canadian  settle 
ment,  then  one  hundred  miles  distant.     When  the  company, 
whose  superior  strength  enabled  them  to  keep  in  advance,  were 
thirty  miles  from  any  human  habitation,  the  last  morsel  of  food 
had  been  consumed. 

13.  In  this  extremity,  Arnold,  with  a  few  of  the  most  vigorous, 
made  a  forced  march  to  the  first  village,  and  returned  to  his  al 
most  famished  companions,  with  food  sufficient  to  satisfy  the 
iirst  wants  of  hature.     Refreshed  and  strengthened,  they  has 
tened  forward,  and,  on  the  fourth  of  November,  arrived  at  the 
French  settlements  on  the  river  Chaudiere,  having  been  thirty- 
two  days  without  seeing  the  abodes  of  civilized  man;  and  having, 
in  that  time,  performed  a  march  unexampled  for  its  temerity  and 
hardship. 

14.  The  inhabitants  welcomed  them  with  cordial  hospitality. 
Though  separated,  in  a  great  measure,  from  the  world,  they  had 
heard  of  the  dispute  between  Great  Britain  and  her  colonies, 
and  as  the  very  name  of  liberty  is  dear  to  the  heart  of  man,  their 
sympathies  were  all  enlisted  on  the  side  of  the  latter.     Arnold 
distributed  proclamations-,unong  them  similar  to  those  issued  by 
general  Schuyler.     As  soon  as  the  scattered  soldiers  were  as 
sembled,  he  continued  his  march,  and,  on  the  ninth  of  November, 
arrived  at  Point  Levi,  opposite  Quebec. 

15.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  surprise  and  astonishment  of 
the  citizens  on  seeing  a  body  of  hostile  troops,  emerging  from 
the  southern  wilderness.     Had  Arnold,  at  this  moment  of  panic, 
been  able  to  cross  the  river,  the  city  must  have  fallen  an  easy 
conquest;  but  boats  were  not  at  hand,  and  a  furious  storm,  oc- 
cnrring  at  the  time,  rendered  crossing  impossible. 

16.  Having  procured  boats,  and  the  storm  having  abated,  he 
crossed  the  river  on  the  night  of  the  13th,  and  landed  near  the 
pl'.ice  where  Wolfe  had  landed  in  the  preceding  war.     Mounting 
(lie  same  steep  ascent,  he  formed  his  troops  on  the  plains  of 
Abraham,  and   marched  towards  the   city.     Convinced,  by  a 
cannonade  from  the  walls,  that  the  garrison  were  ready  to  re 
ceive  him,  he  returned,  encamped  on  the  plain,  and  on  the  18th 
marched  to  Point  aux  Trembles,  twenty  miles  from  Quebec, 
where  he  determined  to  await  the  arrival  of  Montgomery. 

J  7.  He  came  on  the  first  of  December.  How  great  was  the  joy, 


1775]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  153 

and  how  lively  the  gratulations,  they  only  can  imagine,  who, 
after  long  absence  and  suffering,  have  met,  in  a  foreign  land, 
their  friends  and  former  companions.  Arnold's  troops  had,  in 
deed,  great  cause  of  rejoicing.  They  were  entirely  destitute 
of  winter  clothing,  and  had  endured  extreme  distress  from  the 
severity  of  the  cold.  Montgomery  had  brought  a  supply  from 
Montreal,  which  he  immediately  distributed  among  them. 

18.  Their  united  force  amounted  to  no  more  than  nine  hun 
dred  effective  men.     On  the  fifth,  the  general,  at  the  head  of 
these,  appeared  before  the  city,  and  sent  a  flag  with  a  summons 
to  surrender.     The  delay  which  had  taken  place,  had  enabled 
governor  Carle  ton  to  increase  the  strength  of  the  works,  and  to 
change  the  sentiments  of  the  citizens  from  friendship  for  the 
Americans,  to  hostility.     He  ordered  his  troops  to  fire  upon 
the  bearer  of  the  flag. 

19.  Montgomery  soon  discovered  the  defection  of  his  friends, 
and  perceived  that  he  must  depend  upon  his  own  force  alone  for 
the  accomplishment  of  his   object.     When  he  compared  this 
force  with  that  of  the  enemy,  who  were  fifteen  hundred  strong  ; 
tvlien  he  reflected  that  his  troops  were  recent  levies  whose 
term  was  nearly  expired,  and  whose  thoughts  were  fixed  upon 
their  homes,  his  hopes  of  success  became  faint,  and  his  fore 
bodings  gloomy      He  believed,  however,  that  success  was  pos 
sible,  and  his  high  sense  of  honor  and  of  duty  impelled  him  to 
hazard  every  thing  to  obtain  it  for  his  country. 

20.  He  first  determined  to  batter  the  walls,  and  harass  the 
city,  by  repeated  and  furious  attacks,  hoping  that  an  opportunity 
might  occur  of  striking  some  decisive  blow.    He  raised  a  mound, 
composed  of  snow  and  water,  which  soon  became   ice,  and 
there  planted  his  cannons,  six  only  in  number.     After  a  short 
trial,  they  were  found  inadequate,  and  this  plan  was  abandoned. 

21.  Meanwhile,  the  snow  fell  incessantly,  the  cold  became 
intense,  and  the  sufferings  of  the  troops,  from  the  rigor  of  the 
season  and  their  continual  toil,  surpassed  all  that  they  had  evei 
before  felt,  or  witnessed,  or  imagined.     To  increase  their  dis 
tress,  the  small  pox  broke  out  in  the  camp,  presenting  death  in 
a  new  shape,  and  adding  to  the  severity  of  their  labors,  by  les 
sening  the  number  to  bear  them.     In  the  midst  of  these  trials, 
their  attachment  to  the  cause,  and  devotion  to  their  commander 
remained  unabated  ;  but  these,  he  reflected,  must  soon  give 
way  before  such  severe  and  constant  suffering  ;  and  for  himself, 
he  determined  to  make  immediately  a  bold  and  desperate  effort. 

22.  Assembling  his  officers,  he  proposed  to  storm  the  city. 
He  placed  before  them  the  motives  which  operated  upon  his 
own  mind.     He  did  not  deny  that  the  enterprise  was  highly 


154  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775. 

difficult  and  dangerous,  but  maintained  that  success  was  possi 
ble.  He  addressed  a  band  of  heroes  whose  sentiments  were 
congenial  with  his  own,  and  the  decision  was  unanimous  in 
favor  of  his  proposition.  The  plan  and  time  of  attack  were 
concerted,  and  to  each  officer  was  assigned  his  particular  duty 

23.  On  the  last  day  of  December,  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing,  while  a  violent  snow  storm  was  raging,  the  troops  marched 
from  the  camp  in  four  columns,  commanded  by  Montgomery, 
Arnold,  Livingston,  and  Brown.     The  two  latter  were  directed 
to  make  feigned  attacks  upon  the  upper  town,  in  order  to  dis 
tract  the  attention  of  the  garrison ;  while  the  two  former  pro 
ceeded  to  assault  the  lower  town  at  opposite  points. 

24.  Livingston  and  Brown,  impeded  by  the  snow,  did  not  ar 
rive  in  season  to  execute  their  feints.     Montgomery,  advancing, 
at  the  head  of  his  column,  along  the  bank  of  the  river,  came  to 
a  barrier  or  stockade  of  strong  posts.     Two  of  these  he  sawed 
off  with  his  own  hands.     The  guard  within  were  alarmed,  and 
fled  to  a  block-house,  fifty  yards  distant,  where  several  pieces  of 
cannon  were  stationed.     He  passed  through  the  opening  in  the 
barrier,  encouraging  his  men  to  follow.  The  troops  at  the  block 
house,  to  whom  the  guard  had  communicated  their  terror,  began 
to  desert  it. 

25.  At  this  moment,  Montgomery  halted,  to  allow  the  troops, 
near  him  to  form  in  a  body.     Observing  this  delay,  a  Canadian, 
who    lingered   behind,  returned  to  the  block-house,  seized  a 
match  which  was  burning,  and  discharged  a  cannon  loaded  with 
grape   shot,  and  fortuitously  pointed  at  the  little  band.     Th« 
discharge  was  instantly  fatal  to   Montgomery,  and  to  several 
favorite  officers  standing  around  him.     The  men,  seeing  their 
beloved  leader  fall,  shrunk  back ;  colonel  Campbell,  the  next 
in  command,  ordered  a  retreat,  and  that  portion  of  the  garrison 
stationed  at  the  block-house,  was  left  at  liberty  to  hasten  to  an 
other  part  of  the  city,  already  in  commotion  from  the  attack  of 
Arnold. 

26.  This  officer,  marching,  like  Montgomery,  at  the  head  of 
his  column,  had  entered  the  town.     Advancing  along  a  narrow 
street,  which  was  swept  by  the  grape  shot  of  the  enemy,  he  re 
ceived  a  severe  wound  in  the  leg,  and  was  carried  to  the  hos 
pital.     Captain  Morgan,  afterwards  distinguished  by  his  exploits 
at  the  soutn,  assumed  the  command.     Placing  himself  at  the 
head  of  two  companies,   he  boldly  approached  the  enemy's 
works,  and  entering  through  the  embrasures,  drove  the  men  from 
their  guns. 

27.  Here  he  halted  until  the  rear  of  the  column  came  up. 
time  was  given  for  reflection,  the  danger  of  their  situa- 


1775.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  165 

tion,  a  small  band  in  the  heart  of  a  hostile  city,  filled  even  the 
bosoms  of  the  brave  with  dread.  Morgan  retained  his  firmness  ; 
and  when  the  morning  dawned,  with  a  voice  that  resounded 
through  the  city,  summoned  his  troops  to  the  assault  of  a  second 
battery,  a  short  distance  in  advance  of  the  first. 

28.  Before  this,  a  fierce  combat  ensued.     Many  of  the  ene 
my  were  killed,  but  more  Americans,  who  were  exposed  to  a 
destructive  fire  of  musketry  from  the  windows  of  the  houses. 
Some  of  the  most  daring  mounted  the  wall,  but,  seeing,  on  the 
other  side,  two  ranks  of  soldiers,  with  their  muskets  on  the 
ground,  presenting  hedges  of  bayonets  to  receive  them,  should 
they  leap  forward,  they  recoiled  and  descended. 

29.  Weary  with  exertion,  and  benumbed  with  cold  ;  exposed 
to  a  deadly  fire  from  every  quarter ;  their  arms  rendered  useless 
by  the  snow  which  continued  to  fall,  the  soldiers  sought  refuge 
in  the  houses.     Perceiving  that  all  farther  attempts  would  be 
vain,  Morgan  gave  the  signal  of  retreat.     Some  of  the  men  fled, 
but  most  were  unwilling  to  encounter  another  tempest  of  shot. 
They  refused,  however,  to  yield,  until  assured  of  the  fate  of 
Montgomery ;  when,  losing  all  hope  of  success  and  escape,  they 
surrendered  themselves  prisoners  of  war. 

30.  The  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  this  desperate  enterprise, 
was  above  four  hundred,  of  whom  one  hundred  and  fifty  were 
killed.     The  whole  continent  bewailed  the  death  of  Montgome 
ry.    He  was  conspicuous,  even  in  those  times  of  enthusiasm,  for 
his  ardent  devotion  to  the  cause  of  freedom.     He  was  endeared 
to  the  good,  by  the  exercise,  in  the  midst  of  war,  of  the  amiable 
virtues.     His  soldiers  adored  him  for  his  lofty  spirit  and  daring 
bravery.     The  enemy  respected  him  for  his  honorable  conduct, 
and  distinguished  military  qualities.     Until  his  last  enterprise, 
continual  success  bore  testimony  to  the  greatness  of  his  talents  ; 
and  defeat,  when  he  was  no  more,  confirmed  the  testimony  of 
success.     Congress  resolved  that  a  monument  should  be  erected 
to  perpetuate  his  fame.     It  lives  yet  fresh  in  the  memory  of 
Americans.     In  1818,  New-York,  his  adopted  state,  removed 
his  remains  from   Quebec  to  her  own  metropolis,  where  the 
monument  had  been  placed,  and  near  that  they  repose. 

31.  Some  of  the  Americans,  on  their  escape  from  Quebec, 
retreated  precipitately  to  Montreal.      Arnold,  with  difficulty, 
detained  about  four  hundred,  who,  breaking  up  their  camp,  re 
tired  three  miles  from  the  city.     Here  this  heroic  band,  though 
much  inferior  in  number  to  the  garrison,  kept  it  in  continual 
awe,  and,  by  preventing  all  communication  with  the  country, 
reduced  it  to  great  distress  for  the  want  of  provisions. 

32.  Congress,  on  receiving;  information  of  the  disaster  of  the 


156  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775. 

31st  of  December,  directed  reinforcements  to  be  sent  to  Canada ; 
and  after  the  beginning  of  March,  Arnold's  party  was  almost 
daily  augmented  by  the  arrival  of  small  bodies  of  troops.  But 
its  strength  did  not  increase  with  its  numbers.  The  small-pox 
still  continued  its  ravages ;  fatigue,  without  hope,  depressed  the 
spirits  of  the  soldiers ;  the  difficulty  of  obtdning  provisions  bfe- 
came  every  day  greater ;  and  the  harsh  measures  adopted  by 
Arnold  to  procure  them,  exasperated  the  inhabitants  around  him. 

33.  On  the  first  of  May,  general  Thomas,  who  had  been  ap 
pointed  to  succeed  Montgomery,  arrived  from  the  camp  at  Rox- 
bury.     On  reviewing  his  army,  he  found  it  to  consist  of  less  than 
two  thousand  men,  of  whom  half  were  not  fit  for  duty.    A  coun 
cil  of  war  was  held,  who  resolved  that  it  was  expedient  to  take  a 
more  defensible  position  higher  up  the  St.  Lawrence.     To  this 
decision  they  were  led  by  the  knowledge  that  the  ice  was  leav 
ing  the  river,  and  by  the  expectation  that  reinforcements  from 
England  would  immediately  come  up.     The  next  morning,  iu 
fact,  while  the  Americans  were  engaged  in  removing  the  sick, 
several  ships  appeared  in  sight,  and  entered  the  harbor.     A  mul 
titude  of  troops  were  immediately  poured  into  the  city. 

34.  At  one  o'clock,  Carleton  made  a  sortie  at  the  head  of  a 
thousand  men.    Against  these,  general  Thomas,  at  that  moment, 
could  oppose  but  three  hundred.     All  the  stores,  and  many  of 
the  sick,  fell  into  the  power  of  the  enemy.     The  latter  were<, 
treated,  by  the  governor,  with  great  tenderness ;  and  when  re 
stored  to  health,  were  assisted  to  return  to  their  homes.     The 
Americans  retreated  to  the  mouth  of  the  Sorel,  where  they  were 
joined  by  several  regiments,  and  where  their  worthy  commander 
died  of  the  small-pox,  which  yet  prevailed  in  the  camp. 

35.  While  patriotism  and  valor  were,  in  this  quarter,  unsuo* 
cessfully  contending  with  a  superior  force,  the  Americans  sus 
tained  a  heavy  and  unexpected  calamity,  resulting  from  coward 
ice,  in  an  other.     At  a  fortified  place,  called  the  Cedars,  forty 
miles  above  Montreal,  colonel  Bedell  was  stationed  with  four 
hundred  men,  and  two  pieces  of  cannon.     Assembling  a  force 
of  six  hundred,  mostly  Indian  warriors,  captain  Foster,  who 
commanded  at  Oswegatchie,  descended  the  river  to  attack  this 
post. 

36.  Colonel  Bedell,  leaving  major  Butterfield  in  command, 
repaired  to  Montreal  to  obtain  assistance.     Shortly  afterwards, 
captain  Foster  appeared,  and  invested  the  fort.     He  had  no  ar 
tillery,  and  in  the  course  of  two  days,  but  one  man  was  wound 
ed.     More  efficient  than  his  arms,  was  the  intimation,  that  if 
any  of  the  Indians  should  be  killed,  it  would  not  be  in  his  power 
to  restrain  them  from  the  massacre  of  the  garrison.    Intimidated 


1776.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  157 

by  this,  major  Butterfield  surrendered  his  whole  party  prisoners 
of  war,  stipulating  only  for  their  baggage  and  their  lives. 

37.  Upon  the  representation  of  colonel  Bedell,  a  reinforce 
ment  was  ordered  to  march  from  Montreal ;  but  he  declined 
returning  with  it,  and  the  command  was  given  to  major  Sher- 
burne.     The  day  after  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  of  which  event 
the  major  was  ignorant,  and  about  four  miles  from  it,  he  was  met 
by  a  large  body  of  Indians,  to  whom,  after  an  obstinate  and 
bloody  conflict,  he  was  obliged  to  surrender.     The  whole  loss 
of  the  Americans  was  at  least  five  hundred. 

38.  General  Sullivan  was  appointed  to  succeed  general  Tho 
mas,  and  on  the  first  of  June,  arrived  at  the  river  Sorel,  where  he 
found  between  four  and  five  thousand  men.     But  the  army  of 
the  enemy  had,  in  the  mean  time,  been  augmented  to  thirteen 
thousand.    Commanding  a  force  so  decidedly  superior,  governor 
Carleton  pressed  forward  in  pursuit,  and  the  Americans  retreated 
slowly  and  reluctantly  before  him.     At  St.  Johns,  the  pursuit 
ceased ;  but  general  Sullivan,  in  obedience  to  orders  from  general 
Schuyler,  continued  his  march  to  Crown  Point,  at  the  head  of 
lake  Champlain. 

39.  Thus  terminated  the  expedition  against  Canada.     In  its 
conception  >'t  was  singularly  bold  and  romantic.     In  its  progress 
were  displayed  fortitude  and  bravery  seldom  equalled  in  military 
annals.     Its  failure  was  a  painful  disappointment  to  the  patriots 
of  the  day.     It  is  now  consoling  to  reflect,  that  success  would 
probably  have  proved  injurious  to  the  cause  of  independence. 
To  protect  the  province,  the  military  forcp  of  the  confederacy 
must  have  been  too  much  extended,  and  colonies  more  important 
have  been  left  defenceless. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1776. 


THE  last  humble  petition  of  congress  to  the  king  was  pre 
sented  by  Mr.  Penn,  the  late  governor  of  Pennsylvania.  A  few 
days  afterwards,  he  was  told  by  the  minister  that  no  answer  would 
be  made  to  it.  The  haughty  spirit,  which  dictated  this  reply ; 
rervaded  both  houses  of  parliament. 


158  REVOLUTIONARY  WAI*  [1776. 

2.  In  December,  a  law  was  passed  amounting  to  a  declaration 
of  war  against  the  colonies.     Treaties  were  made  with  the 
Landgrave  of  Hesse  Cassel  and  other  German  princes,  hiring  of 
them  seventeen  thousand  men,  to  be  employed  against  the  Ameri 
cans  ;  and  it  was  determined  to  send  over,  in  addition  to  these, 
twenty-five  thousand  English  troops. 

3.  In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1776,  a  fleet  under  Sir  Peter 
Parker,  and  two  thousand  five  hundred  troops  commanded  by 
earl  Cornwallis,  wrere  despatched  upon  an  expedition  against  the 
southern  colonies.     Soon  after,  admiral  Hotham  set  sail  with  a 
large  number  of  transports,  carrying  the  first  division  of  Hes 
sians  ;  and,  in  May,  followed  admiral  lord  Howe,  who  had  been 
appointed  commander  of  the  naval  force  on  the  American  station. 
He,  and  his  brother,  general  Howe,  had  also  been  appointed 
joint  commissioners  to  grant  pardons  on  submission. 

4.  On  the  first  of  May,  the  fleet,  under  sir  Peter  Parker,  ar 
rived  on  the  coast  of  North  Carolina,  where  sir  Henry  Clinton, 

.arriving  at  the  same  time  from  New- York,  took  command  of  the 
troops.  The  late  defeat  of  the  highland  emigrants  had  so 
dispirited  the  loyalists  in  this  colony,  that  he  determined  to  pro 
ceed  farther  south,  and  attack  Charleston,  the  capital  of  Scuta 
Carolina. 

5.  Fortunately,  an  official  letter,  announcing  the  speedy  de 
parture  of  the  expedition  from  England,  had  been  intercepted 
early  in  the  spring,  arid  time  was  thus  given  to  place  this  city  in 
a  state  of  defence.     A  strong  fort  was  built  on  Sullivan's  island, 
a  position  from  which  ships,  on  entering  the  harbor,  could  be 
greatly  annoyed  ;  the  streets,  in  different  places,  were  strongly 
barricaded ;  the  stores  on  the  wharves,  though  of  great  value, 
were  pulled  down,  and  lines  of  defence  erected  along  the  water's 
edge. 

6.  On  learning  the  near  approach  of  the  enemy,  the  militia 
of  the  country  were  summoned  to  defend  the  capital.     They 
obeyed  with  alacrity,  increasing  to  five  or  six  thousand  the  num 
ber  of  troops.     General  Lee  had  been  sent  from  New-York  to 
take  the  chief  command  ;  and  his  high  military  reputation  gave 
confidence  to  the  soldiers  and  inhabitants.     Under  him  were 
colonels  Gadsden,  Moultrie,  and  Thompson. 

7.  In  the  morning  df  the  28th  of  June,  nine  ships  of  war, 
carrying  two  hundred  and  fifty  guns,  began  a  furious  attack  upon 
the  fort  on  the  island,  which  was  garrisoned  by  about  four  hundred 
men,  under  the  command  of  colonel  Moultrie.     At  the  same 
lime,  a  detachment  of  troops  was  landed  on  an  adjoining  island 
and  directed  to  cross  over,  at  a  place  where  the  sea  was  supposed 
to  be  shallow,  and  attack  it  in  the  rear. 


1776.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  159 

8.  The  heavy  and  incessant  fire  of  the  enemy  was  received 
with  coolness,  and  returned  with  skill.     Many  of  their  ships  suf 
fered  severely,  and  particularly  the  Bristol,  on  board  of  which 
was  commodore  Parker.     She  was  twice  in  flames,  her  captain 
was  killed,  and  so  dreadful  was  the  slaughter,  that,  at  one  time, 
the  commodore  was  the  only  person  upon  deck  unhurt. 

9.  In  the  midst  of  the  action,  general  Lee  visited  the  garri 
son.     He  was  delighted  with  the  enthusiasm  they  exhibited. 
Nothing  seemed  capable  of  quenching  their  ardor.     Soldiers, 
mortally  wounded,  exhorted  their  comrades  never  to  abandon 
the  standard  of  liberty.     "  I  die,"  said  sergeant  M'Donald,  in 
his  last  moments,  "  for  a  glorious  cause  ;  but  I  hope  it  will  not 
expire  with  me." 

10.  The  British  troops,  destined  to  attack  the  fort  in  the  rear, 
found  it  impossible  to  reach  the  island.     The  engagement  with 
the  fleet  continued  until  dark.     The  ships,  having  received  too 
much  injury  to  renew  it,  moved  off  in  the  night ;  and  a  few  days 
afterwards,  the  fleet,  with  the  troops  on  board,  set  sail  for  New- 
Sfork,  where  the  whole  British  force  had  been  ordered  to  as 
semble. 

11.  The  killed  and  wounded   on  the   part  of  the  enemy, 
amounted  to  near  two  hundred.      Of  the  Americans,  ten  were 
killed,  and  twenty-two  wounded.     The  troops,  for  their  gallan 
try,  received  the  thanks  of  congress,  and  high  and  well  merited 
praise  from  their  countrymen.     Their  success  was  auspicious  to 
the  cause  of  freedom.     In  a  part  of  the  country  where  resist 
ance  by  force  had  been  but  little  contemplated,  it  aroused  the 
people  to  exertion,  and  inspired  them  with  confidence. 

12.  Notwithstanding  the  active  war  carried  on,  the  colonies 
still  professed  allegiance  to  the  British  king ;  and  protested  that 
the  sole  object  of  all  their  measures,  was  a  redress  of  grievances. 
In  the  beginning  of  the  contest,  these  professions,  in  most  in 
stances,  were  sincere  ;  but  a  state  of  hostility  produced  a  rapid 
change  of  sentiment.     In  place  of  attachment  to  monarchy  and 
to  Great  Britain,  succeeded  devotion  to  republican  principles, 
and  wishes  for  independence. 

13.  The  temporary  constitutions  adopted  by  New-Hampshire, 
and  several  other  colonies,  had  shown  with  what  facility  all 
bonds  of  connexion  with  the  mother  country  could  be  dissolved. 
Essays  in  the  newspapers,  and  pamphlets  industriously  circula 
ted,  appealing  to  the  reason  and  to  the  passions  of  the  people, 
enforced  the  necessity  and  policy  of  a  separation.     Resistance, 
it  was  observed,  had  been  carried  too  fur  to  allow  the  hope  that 
cordial  harmony  could  ever  be  restored  ;   submission  on  any 
terms,  to  irritated  raastei-s,  would  be  totally  unsafe  ;  and  the  al- 


160  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1776. 

ternative  was  presented  of  rising  to  the  honorable  rank  of  an 
independent  nation,  or  sinking  into  a  state  of  vassalage  which 
every  future  year  would  render  more  oppressive  and  degrading. 

14.  A  pamphlet,  entitled  "  Common  Sense,"  and  written  by 
Thomas  Paine,  an  Englishman,  was  universally  read,  arid  most 
highly  admired.     In  language  plain,  forcible,  and  singularly  well 
fitted  to  operate  on  the  public  mind,  he  portrayed  the  excellen 
cies  of  republican  institutions,  and  attacked,  with  happy  and  sue- 
cessful  ridicule,  the  principles  of  hereditary  government.     The 
effect  of  the  pamphlet,  in  making  converts,  was  astonishing,  and 
is  probably  without  precedent  in  the  annals  of  literature. 

15.  As  a  step  preparatory  to  independence,  congress,  on  the 
1 5th  of  May,  recommended  to  those  colonies  that  had  not  yet 
adopted  constitutions,  to  establish,  without  any  limitation  of 
time,  "  such  governments  as  might  best  conduce  to  the  happi 
ness  and  safety  of  the  people."     The  recommendation  was  ge 
nerally  complied  with,  and  in  every  instance  the  government 
was  not  only  entirely  elective,  but  elective  at  such  short  periods 
as  to  impress  upon  rulers  their  immediate  accountableness  to  the 
people,  and  upon  the  people  a  just  opinion  of  their  own  impor 
tance,  arid  a  conviction  of  their  safety  from  misrule. 

16.  The  colonies  had  become  accustomed  to  contemplate 
themselves  as  sovereign  states  ;  and  the  governments  of  many 
expressed  their  desire  that  congress  would  declare  them  such  to 
the  world.     On  the  7th  of  June,  a  resolution  to  that  effect  was 
proposed,  in  that  body,  by  Richard  Henry  Lee,  of  Virginia,  and 
seconded  by  John  Adams,  of  Massachusetts.     While  under  con, 
sideration,  the  colonies,  which  had  not  expressed  their  approba 
tion  of  the  measure,  declared  their  concurrence.     A  committee, 
consisting  of  Messrs.  Jefferson,  Adams,  Franklin,  Sherman, 
arid  Livingston,  were  instructed  to  prepare  a  Declaration  of  In 
dependence,  which,  on  the  fourth  of  July,  a  memorable  day,  was 
almost  unanimously  adopted. 

17.  "  We  hold  these  truths,"  says  this  celebrated  state  paper, 
"  to  be  self  evident,  that  all  mankind  are  created  equal ;  that 
they  are  endowed  by  their  Creator  with  certain  unalienable 
rights ;  that  among  these,  are  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  hap 
piness  ;  that  to  secure  these  rights,  governments  are  instituted 
among  men,  deriving  their  just  powers  from  the  consent  of  the 
governed  ;  that  whenever  any  form  of  government  becomes  de 
structive  of  these  ends,  it  is  the  right  of  the  people  to  alter  or 
abolish  it,  and  to  institute  a  new  government,  laying  its  founda 
tions  on  such  principles,  and  organizing  its  powers  in  such  form, 
as  to  them  shall  seem  most  likely  to  effect  their  safety  and  hap 
riness." 


I776J  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  161 

18.  To  justify  the  exercise,  on  the  present  occasion,  of  the 
right  here  asserted,  a  long  enumeration  is  made  of  the  injuries 
inflicted  upon  the  colonies,  by  the  king  of  Great  Britain,  which 
is  closed  by  declaring  that  "  a  prince,  whose  character  is  thus 
marked  by  every  act  which  may  define  a  tyrant,  is  unfit  to  be 
the  ruler  of  a  free  people." 

i  19.  The  appeals  which  had  been  made  to  the  people  of 
.'Great  Britain,  are  also  recounted;  "but  they  too  have  been 
deaf  to  the  voice  of  justice  and  consanguinity.  We  must  there 
fore  acquiesce  to  the  necessity  which  denounces  our  separation, 
and  hold  them,  as  we  hold  the  rest  of  mankind,  enemies  in  war, 
in  peace  friends. 

20.  "We,  therefore,  tl.e  representatives  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  in  general  congress  assembled,  appealing  to  the 
Supreme  Judge  of  the  World  for  the  rectitude  of  our  intentions, 
do,  in  the  name,  and  by  the  authority,  of  the  goot!  people  of  these 
colonies,  solemnly  publish  <md  declare,  that  these   United  Colo 
nies  are,  and  of  right  out  to  be,  FREE  and  INDEPENDENT  STATES  ; 
that  they  are  absolved  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  crown, 
and  that  all  political  connection  between  them  and  the  state  of 
Great  Britain  is,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  totally  dissolved  ;  and 
that,  as  free  and  independent  states,  they  have  full  power  to  levy 
war,  conclude  peace,  contract  alliances,  establish  commerce, 
and  do  all  other  acts  and  things  which  independent  states  may  of 
right  do.     And  for  the  support  of  this  declaration,  with  a  firm 
reliance  on  the  protection  of  Divine  Providence,  we  mutually 
pledge  to  each  other  our  lives,  our  fortunes,  and  our  sacred 
honor." 

21.  This  declaration  was  communicated  to  the  army,  and 
received  with  enthusiastic  plaudits.     A   great  majority  of  the 
people  welcomed  it  with  joy,  which  was  displayed,  in  almost 
every  city,  by  extraordinary  public  festivities.     Those  who  had 
been  denominated  lories,  were  averse  to   a  separation.     Many 
joined  the  royai  armies,  and  exhibited,  during  the  war,  the  most 
cruel  hostility  against  the  whigs,  their  countrymen. 

22.  During  the   spring  and  summer,  unremitted   exertions 
were  made  to  fortify  the   city  of  New- York,  against  which,  it 
was  supposed,  the  whole  strength  of  the  enemy  would  be  next 
directed.     In  this  crisis,   the  people  of  that  state  acted  with 
spirit  and  firmness.     One  fourth  of  the  militia  of  the  counties 
contiguous  to  the  city,  were  called  into  the  public  service.      Yet 
the  means,  in  the  power  of  the  commander-in-chief,  were  not 
adequate  to  the  emergency.     He  had  under  his  command  but 
fourteen  thousand  effective  men  ;  and  was  almost  destitute  of 
many  articles  which  imoart  strength  as  well  as  r.nmfort.  to  an 


162  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1775. 

army.  As  it  was  in  the  power  of  the  enemy  to  choose  their 
point  of  attack,  this  force  was  necessarily  divided.  A  part  were 
stationed  in  the  city,  a  part  at  Brooklyn,  on  Long  Island,  and 
small  detachments  at  various  other  posts. 

23.'  In  the  beginning  of  July,  admiral  and  general  Howe  ar 
rived  in  the  harbor  of  New- York.  They  were  accompanied  by 
a  powerful  naval  force,  and  by  an  army  of  twenty-four  thousand 
men,  abundantly  supplied  with  military  stores.  The  troops 
were  landed  on  Staten  Island,  a  position  from  which  ulterior 
movements  could  most  conveniently  be  made. 

24.  General   Washington,  presuming  that  the  first   attack 
would  be  made  upon  the  posts  at  Brooklyn,  strengthened  it  by  a 
detachment  of  troops  from  the  city,  and  gave  the  command  of 
it  to  general  Putnam.     On  the  22d  of  August,  the  British  forces 
were  landed  on  the  opposite  side  of  Long  Island.     The  two  ar 
mies  were  now  about  four  miles  asunder,  and  were  separated 
by  a  range  of  hills,  over  which  passed  three  main  roads.     Va 
rious  circumstances  led  general  Puinam  to  suspect  that  the  ene 
my  intended  to  approach  him  by  the  road  leading  to  his  right, 
which  he  therefore  guarded  with  most  care. 

25.  Very  early  in  the  morning  of  the  26th,  his  suspicions 
were  strengthened  by  the  approach,  upon  that  road,  of  a  column 
of  British  troops,  arid  upon  the  centre  road,  of  a  column  of 
Hessians.     To  oppose  these,  the  American  troops  were  mostly 
drawn  from  their  camp,  and  in  the  engagements  which  took 
place,  evinced  considerable  bravery. 

26.  These  movements  of  the  enemy  were  but  feints  to  divert 
the  attention  of  Putnam  from  the  road  which  led  to  his  left, 
along  which  general  Clinton  was  silently  advancing  with  the 
main  body  of  the  British  army.     The  report  of  cannon  in  that 
direction  gave  the  first  intimation  of  the  danger  which  was  ap 
proaching.     The  Americans  endeavoured  to  escape  it,  by  re 
turning,  with  the  utmost  celerity,  to  their  camp.     They  were 
not  able  to  arrive  there  in  time,  but  were  intercepted  by  general 
Clinton,  who  drove  them  back  upon  the  Hessians. 

27.  Attacked  thus  in  front  and  rear,  they  fought  a  succession 
of  skirmishes,  in  the  course  of  which  many  were  killed,  many 
made  prisoners,  and  several  parties,  seizing  favourable  oppor 
tunities,  forced  their  way  through  the  enemy,  and  regained  the 
camp.     A  bold  arid  vigorous  charge,  made  by  the  American 
general,  lord  Sterling,  at  the  head  of  a  Maryland  regiment, 
enabled  a  large  body  to  escape  in  this  manner.     This  regiment, 
fighting  with  desperate  bravery,  kept  a  force  greatly  superior 
engaged,  until  their  comrades  had  passed  by,  when  the  few  who 
survived.  cea^r:^  to  rpsist.  surrendered  to  the  enemv. 


1776.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  163 

28.  The  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  killed,  wounded,  and  pri 
soners,  considerably  exceeded  a  thousand.  Among  the  latter 
were  generals  Sullivan,  Sterling,  and  Woodhull.  The  total  loss 
of  the  enemy  was  less  thai:  four  hundred.  They  encamped  at 
night  before  the  American  lines ;  and  the  next  day  began  to  erect 
batteries  within  six  hundred  yards  of  their  left. 
,  29.  While  the  battle  was  raging,  general  Washington  passed 
over  to  Brooklyn,  where  he  witnessed,  with  inexpressible  anguish, 
the  destruction  of  his  best  troops,  from  which,  such  was  the  su 
periority  of  the  enemy,  it  was  impossible  to  save  them.  Finding 
the  men  dispirited  by  defeat,  he  determined  to  remove  them  to 
the  city.  The  retreat  was  effected,  on  the  night  of  the  28th, 
with  such  silence  and  despatch,  that  before  the  suspicions  of 
the  enemy  were  excited,  the  last  division  of  boats  was  beyond 
the  reach  of  their  fire. 

30.  So  disheartened  were  the  militia,  that  they  deserted  by 
companies  ;  and  even  the  regular  troops  were  infected  by  their 
example.     Near  the  middle  of  September,  the  commander-in- 
chief,  fearing  to  be  enclosed  in  the  city,  retired  to  the  heights  of 
Haerlem.     The  enemy  immediately  took  possession.     A  few 
days  afterwards,  a  fire  broke  out  which  consumed  about  a  thou 
sand  houses. 

31.  General  Washington,  after   i  effecting  upon  the  events 
which  had  already  occurred  ;  after  considering  the  inexperience 
of  his  troops,  the  condition  of  the  country,  and  the  distance  of 
the  enemy  from  their  resources,  determined  to  adopt  a  cautious 
system  of  warfare  ;  to  risk  at  present  no  general  engagement  • 
to  harass  and  wear  out  the  enemy  by  keeping  them  in  continual 
motion ;  and  to  inspire  his  own  troops  with  courage,  by  engaging 
them  in  skirmishes,  in  all  cases  where  success  was  probable.    In 
one,  fought  on  the  sixth  of  September,  the  brave  colonel  Knowl- 
ton  was  killed  ;  but  the  result  Avas  so  decidedly  favorable  to  the 
Americans,  that  the  troops  recovered  their  spirits ;  and  the  general 
was  confirmed  in  the  system  he  had  adopted. 

32.  The  movements  of  the  enemy,  in  the  beginning  of  October, 
indicated  an  intention  of  gaining  the  rear  of  the  Americans,  and 
cutting  off  their  communication  with  the  eastern  states.     The 
army,  therefore,  quitting  Haerlem,  moved  northward  towards 
White  Plains.    General  Howe  pursued,  making  several  attempts 
to  bring  on  a  general  engagement,  which  Washington  avoided 
by  skilful  changes  of  position.     A  partial  action  was  fought,  on. 
the  28th  of  October,  in  which  the  loss  on  both  sides  was  nearly 
equal. 

33.  Finding  his  antagonist  too  cautious  to  be  drawn  into  the. 
Open  field,  and  too  strong  to  be  attacked  in  his  entrenchment^ 


164  RE\OLtJTIONARY  WAR,  [1776. 

general  Howe  determined  to  return  towards  New- York,  and  at 
tack  forts  Washington  and  Lee,  situated  opposite  to  each  other 
on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  and  about  ten  miles  above  the  city. 
In  these  forts,  garrisons  had  been  left,  from  a  wish  to  preserve 
the  command  of  this  important  river.  That  in  fort  Washingtdn, 
consisting  in  part  of  militia,  amounted  to  two  thousand  seven 
hundred  men,  under  colonel  Magaw. 

34.  On  the  16th  of  November,  four  divisions  of  the  enemy's 
army,  led  by  their  principal  officers,  attacked  it  in  four  different 
quarters.     The  garrison,  and  particularly  the  riflemen  under 
colonel  Rawlings,  fought  bravely.     The  Germans  were  several 
times  driven  back,  with  great  loss.     But  these  combined  and 
vigorous  attacks  were  at  length  successful.     The  ammunition  in 
the  fort  being  nearly  exhausted,  and  all  the  out  posts  driven  in, 
the  commander,  on  being  a  second  time  summoned,  agreed  to 
capitulate,  on  honorable  terms.     This  was  the  severest  blow  the 
Americans  had  yet  felt.     The  loss  of  the  enemy,  however,  in 
killed  and  wounded,  was  supposed  to  be  twelve  hundred  men. 

35.  Fort  Lee  was  immediately  evacuated,  the  garrison  joining 
general  Washington.     He  had  previously,  with  one  division  of 
his  army,  crossed  over  into  New-Jersey,  leaving  the  other,  under 
the  command  of  general  Lee,  in  New-York.     His  force,  even 
when  augmented  by  the  garrison,  consisted  of  but  three  thousand 
effective  men.  and  they  were  destitute  of  tents,  of  blankets,  and 
even  of  utensils  to  cook  their  provisions.     His  first  station  was 
Newark ;  but  the  enemy  pursuing  him,  he  was  compelled  to 
retreat  successively  to  Brunswick,  to  Princeton,  to  Trenton,  and 
finally  to  cross  the  Delaware  into  Pennsylvania ;  and  so  close 
was  the  pursuit,  that  the  advance  of  the  British  army  was  often 
in  sight. 

36.  Small  as  was  his  force  when  the  retreat  began,  it  dimi 
nished  daily.      On  the  last  of  November,  many  of  his  troops 
were  entitled  to  their  discharge,  and  not  one  of  them  could  be 
persuaded  to  continue  an  other  day  in  service.      Such  he  feared 
would  be  the  conduct  of  the  remainder,  whose  time  would  expire 
at  the  end  of  the  year.     In  this  extremity,  he  urged  general  Lee 
to  hasten  to  his  assistance ;  but  that  officer,  having  other  pur 
poses  in  view,  delayed  his  march.     He  called  on  the  militfo  oC 
New- Jersey  and  Per.  \sylvania,  but  none  obeyed  his  call.     The 
population  around  him  were  hostile  or  desponding,  and  withheld 
all  aid  from  an  arrny  whose  career  seemed  near  its  termination. 

37.  In  this  darkest  hour  in  American  history,  general  How« 
issued  a  proclamation  offering  pardon  to  all  who  would  declare 
their  submission  to  royal  authority.     The  contrast  between  a 

.  suffering,  retreating  army,  and  a  full-clad,  powerful. 


1776.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  165 

exulting  foe,  induced  many,  despairing  of  success,  to  abandon  the 
cause  they  had  espoused,  and  accept  of  pardon.  Among  them 
were  Mr.  Galloway,  and  Mr.  Allen,  who  had  been  members  of 
the  continental  Congress. 

38.  As  the  British  army  approached  Philadelphia,  congress 
adjourned  to  Baltimore,   having  previously   invested   general 
Washington  with  "  full  power  to  order  and  direct  all  things  re 
lative  to  the  department,  and  to  the  operations  of  war."     Such 
unlimited  authority  could  not  have  been  placed  in  hands  more 
worthy  to  hold  it.     To  the  elastic  energy  of  his  mind,  and  his 
perfect  self-possession  in  the  most  desperate  circumstances,  is 
America  in  a  great  degree,  indebted  for  -her  independence. 

39.  On  the  day  that  he  was  driven  over  the  Delaware,  the 
British  took  possession  of  Rhode  Island.     On  the  13th  of  De 
cember,  general  Lee,  having  wandered  from  his  army,  was  sur 
prised  and  taken  prisoner.     In  the  experience  and  talents  of  this 
officer,  the  people  reposed  great  confidence,  and  they  lamented 
his  loss  like  that  of  an  army.     In  its  consequences,  his  capture 
was  fortunate.     The  command  of  his  division  devolved  upon 
general  Sullivan,  who  conducted  it  promptly  to  general  Wash 
ington,  augmenting  his  army  to  nearly  seven  thousand  effective 
men. 

40.  Still  so  much  stronger  were  the  enemy,  that  they  regard 
ed  the  rebels,  for  so  they  delighted  to  call  the  patriots  of  that 
day,  as  almost  subdued,  and  doubted  not  that  a  vigorous  attempt, 
•whenever  they  should  be  disposed  to  make  it,  would  place  in 
their  power  the  handful  of  men  before  them.     They  rioted  upon 
the  plunder  of  the  country,  and  enjoyed  in  prospect  the  fruits  of 
an  assured  and  decisive  victory. 

41.  Washington  saw  that  this  tide  of  ill  fortune  must  be  stem 
med — must  even  be  rolled  back  upon  the  enemy— or  it  would 
soon  overwhelm  his  country.     He  resolved  to  hazard  all  that 
was  left  in  one  vigorous  effort  for  victory.     On  the  night  of  the 
25th  December,  at  the  head  of  two  thousand  four  hundred  men, 
he  crossed  the  Delaware  at  Trenton,  surprised  a  body  of  Hes 
sians  stationed  at  that  place,  took  nine  hundred  prisoners,  and 
immediately  recrossed,  having  lost  but  nine  of  his  men. 

42.  This  sudden  and  severe  blow  awakened  the  enemy  to  ac 
tivity.     Cornwallis,  who  had  repaired  to  New- York,  intrusting 
to  his  inferior  officers  the  task  of  finishing  the  war,  returned, 
with  additional  troops,  to  regain  the  ground  that  had  been  lost. 
He  concentrated  his  forces  at  Princeton  ;  and  soon  after,  Wash 
ington,  having  been  joined  by  a  body  of  Pennsylvania  militia, 
and  persuaded  the  New-England  troops  to  serve  six  weeks  lo^- 
ger,  again  crossed  the  Delaware  and  took  post  at  Trenton. 


166  REVOLUTIONAR1  WAR.  [1776 

43.  On  the  2d  of  January,  1777,  the  greater  part  of  the  Bri 
tish  army  marched  to  attack  the  Americans.      In  the  evening 
they  encamped  near  Trenton,  in  full  expectation  of  a  battle  and 
victory  in  the  morning.     Washington,  sensible  of  the  inferiority 
of  his  force  ;  sensible  too  that  flight  would  he  almost  as  fatal  as 
defeat,  conceived  another  bold  project  which  he  resolved  in 
stantly  to  execute. 

44.  About  midnight,  having  renewed  his  fires,  he  silently  de 
camped,  and  gaining,  by  a  circuitous  route,  the  rear  of  the  ene 
my,  marched  towards  Princeton,  where  he  presumed  Comwal- 
lis  had  left  a  part  of  his  troops.     At  sunrise,  the  van  of  the 
American  forces  met  unexpectedly  two  British  regiments.     A 
sharp  action  ensued  ;  the  former  gave  way.    At  this  crisis,  when 
all  was  at  stake,  the  commander-in-chief  led  the  main  body  to 
the  attack.     The  enemy  were  routed  and  fled.     Fortunately  the 
heroic  Washington,  though  exposed  to  both  fires,  and  but  a  few 
yards  distant  from  either  party,  escaped  unhurt. 

45.  Instead  of  pursuing  them,  he  pressed  forward  to  Prince 
ton,  where  one  regiment  yet  remained.     Part  saved  themselves 
by  a  precipitate  flight ;  about  three  hundred  were  made  prison 
ers.     The  British  loss  in  killed  was  upwards  of  one  hundred  ; 
the  American  was  less,  but  in  the  number  were  the  brave  gene 
ral  Mercer,  and  several  valuable  officers.     Among  the  wounded 
was  lieutenant  James  Monroe,  afterwards  raised  to  the  highest 
office  in  the  gift  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

46.  In  consternation,  the  British  army  immediately  evacuated 
Trenton,  and  retreated  to  New-Brunswick.     The  inhabitants, 
resuming  their  courage,  and  giving  full  force  to  their  rage,  which 
fear  had  smothered,  took  revenge  for  the  brutalities  they  had 
suffered.     The  enemy  were  driven  from  all  their  posts  in  New- 
Jersey,  except  Amboy  and  Brunswick,  and  the  American  army 
obtained  secure  winter  quarters  at  Morristown. 

47.  The  brilliant  victories  at  Trenton  and  Princeton  raised, 
from  the  lowest  depression,  the  spirits  of  the  American  people. 
They  regarded  Washington  as  the  saviour  of  his  country.     He 
became  the  theme  of  eulogy  throughout  Europe.     And  having 
displayed,  as  occasions  demanded,  the  opposite  qualities  of  cau 
tion  and  impetuosity,  he  received  the  honorable  and  appropriate 
appellation  of  the  American  Fabins. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1777 


THE  firmness  manifested  by  congress,  when  disaster  and  de 
feat  had  almost  annihilated  the  American  army,  entitles  the 
members  to  the  gratitude  and  admiration  of  every  friend  of  free 
dom.  They  exhibited  n$&symptom  of  terror  or  dismay.  They 
roted  to  raise  an  army  to  take  the  place  of  that  which  was  to  be 
disbanded  at  the  end  of  the  year ;  and,  made  sensible  by  ex 
perience  that  short  enlistments  had  been  the  cause  of  most  of 
the  misfortunes  of  their  country,  they  resolved  that  the  new  le 
vies  should  be  enlisted  to  serve  three  years  or  during  the  war, 
at  the  option  of  the  individual  recruits.  To  defray  expenses, 
they  made  large  emissions  of  paper  money.  And  to  evince  their 
firm  determination  to  the  world,  they  solemnly  declared  that 
they  would  listen  to  no  terms  of  peace  which  required  a  relin- 
quishment  of  their  independence,  or  which  should  deprive  other 
nations  of  a  free  trade  to  their  ports. 

2.  Relying  on  the  inveterate  enmity  of  France  against  Great 
Britain,  they  sent  commissioners  to  that  court,  with  instructions 
to  solicit  a  loan  of  money,  a  supply  of  munitions  of  war,  and  an 
acknowledgment  of  the  independence   of  the   United   States. 
These  commissioners  were  Dr.  Franklin,  Silas  Dean,  and  Ar 
thur  Lee.     Franklin  arrived  at  Paris  in  December.     The  cause 
ol  which  he  was  the  advocate,  and  his  own  great  fame  as  a  phi 
losopher,  procured  him  a  flattering  reception  from  all  ranks  of 
people.     America,  her  minister,  her  struggle  against  oppression, 
became  the  themes  of  popular  discourse,  and  the  government 
itself  was  rendered  in  secret  propitious  to  her  cause. 

3.  The  ministry  permitted  arms,   covertly  taken  from  the 
public  arsenals,  to  be  conveyed  to  the  United  States.     They 
connived  at  the  sale,  in  their  West  India  islands,  and  even  in  the 
ports  of  France,  of  the  prizes  taken  by  American  privateers. 
The  value  of  these  prizes  made  in  the  year  1776,  was  compu 
ted  at  five  millions  of  dollars,  and  far  exceeded  that  of  the  cap 
tures  made  by  the  enemy. 

4.  So  popular  was  the  cause  of  the  United  States,  and  so 
exalted    the    character    of   their   military    leader,  that    many 
French  officers  sought  an  opportunity  of  engaging  in  their  ser 
vice.     Among  these,  the  young  Marquis  do  lu  Furette  was  most 
conspicuous  for  his  rank,  and  roost  distinguished  for  his  ardor 


168  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1777. 

and  enthusiasm.  At  an  early  period,  he  communicated  to  the 
American  agents  his  wish  to  join  the  republican  armies.  At 
first,  they  encouraged  his  zeal,  but  learning  the  disasters  which 
preceded  the  victory  at  Trenton,  they,  with  honorable  frankness, 
communicated  the  information  to  him,  and  added  that  they  were 
so  destitute  of  funds,  that  they  could  not  even  provide  for  his  pas 
sage  across  the  ocean. 

5.  "If  your  country,"  replied  the  gallant  youth,  " is  indeed 
reduced  to  this  extremity,  it  is  at  this  moment  that  my  departure 
to  join  her  armies  will  render  her  the  most  essential  service." 
He  immediately  hired  a  vessel  to  convey  him  to  America,  where 
he  arrived  in  the  spring  of  1777.     He  was  received  with  cor 
dial  affection  by  the  people,  became  the  bosom  friend  of  Wash 
ington,  solicited  permission  to  serve  without  pay,  and  was  ap 
pointed  major-general  in  the  army. 

6.  In  the  last  campaign,  more  prisoners  had  been  taken  by 
the  British  than  by  the  Americans.     They  were  detained  at 
New- York,  and  were  confined  in  churches  and  prison  ships, 
where  they  endured  the  extremity   of  wretchedness.      They 
were  exposed,  without  fire  and  almost  without  clothes,  to  the 
inclemency  of  a  severe  winter  ;   were  often  whole  days  without 
food,  and  when  food  was  offered,  it  was  but  a  miserable  pittance, 
damaged  and  loathsome.     Many  died  of  hunger,  and  ,more  of 
diseases,  produced  by  their  complicated  sufferings. 

7.  Washington  remonstrated  with  warmth,  and  threatened 
retaliation.     After  his  victories  in  New -Jersey,  their  treatment 
was  less  inhuman.     An  exchange  was  agreed  upon,  but  many, 
when  attempting  to  walk  from  their  places  of  confinement  to  the 
vessels  provided  to  convey  them  away,  fell  and  expired  in  the 
streets.     Yet  in  the  midst  of  these  unparalleled  sufferings,  they 
had  exhibited  fortitude  more  rare,  and  more  honorable  to  hu 
man  nature,  than  the  highest  display  of  valor  in  battle.     To  en 
tice  them  to  enlist  in  the  royal  army,  they  were  promised  relief 
from  misery,  and  the  enjoyment  of  abundance.      They  rejected 
the  offer  with  disdain ;  thus  giving  to  the  world  the  noblest  proof 
of  the  absence  of  all  mercenary  motive,  and  of  the  sincerity 
and  fervor  of  their  devotion  to  their  country. 

8.  Near  the  end  of  May,  the  American  army,  which  had 
6een  augmented  by  recruits  to  almost  ten  thousand  men,  movei 
fpom  Morristown,  and  took  a  strong  position  at  Middlebrook. 
The  British,  soon  after,  left  their  encampment,  and  general 
Howe  endeavored,  by  various  movements,  to  induce  general 
Washington  to  quit  his  strong  hold  and  meet  him  on  equal 
ground.      But  the  latter,  adhering  to  his  Fabian  system  of  war- 
foe,  determined  to  remain  in  the  position  he  had  chosen. 


1776.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  169 

9.  General  Howe,  changing  his  purpose,  transported  his  army 
to  Staten  Island.     He  there  embarked  sixteen  thousand  troops 
on  board  a  large  fleet,  and,  leaving  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  com 
mand  at  New- York,  put  out  to  sea  on  the  26th  of  July.     His 
destination  was  carefully  kept  secret.     On  the  20th  of  August, 
the  fleet  entered  Chesapeake  bay,  and  rendered  it  certain  that  an 
attack  upon  Philadelphia  was  intended.    The  troops  were  landed 
at  Elk  ferry,  in  Maryland,  fifty  miles  south  of  that  city. 

10.  The  American  army  immediately  crossed  the  Delaware, 
and,  passing  through  Philadelphia,  directed  its  march  towards 
the  enemy.     The  people,  weary  of  delays  and  indecisive  move 
ments,  demanded  that  a  general  engagement  should  be  hazarded 
for  the  defence  of  the  metropolis.    Washington,  yielding  to  their 
wishes,  took  a  position  on  the  eastern  bank  of  Brandywine  creek, 
and  in  the  direction  of  the  enemy's  route. 

11.  On  the  eleventh  of  September,  the  British  army  appeared, 
and,  crossing  the  creek  at  several  fords,  commenced  an  attack 
upon  the  American  right,  which,  after  a  short  resistance,  gave 
way.     The  other  divisions,  successively  attacked,  gave  way  in 
like  manner,  and  the  rout  becoming  general,  a  retreat  was  or 
dered  to  Chester. 

12.  Several  portions  of  the  American  army,  particularly  a 
brigade  from  Virginia,  exhibited  in  this  battle  great  firmness  and 
bravery.     The  misconduct  of  others  rendered  their  bravery 
unavailing.     The  American  loss  amounted  to  twelve  hundred  ; 
the  British  to  no  more  than  half  that  number.     The  Marquis  de 
la  Fayette  took  part  in  the  engagement  and  was  wounded.    The 
next  day,  the  army  retired  to  Philadelphia,  and  soon  after  to 
Heading,  where  a  quantity  of  stores  had  been  deposited.     The 
retreat  was  performed  without  a  murmur,  although  many  inarched 
without  shoes,  and  slept  on'  the  ground  without  blankets.     On 
the  26th  of  September,  general  Howe  entered  Philadelphia  in 
triumph,  Congress  having  previously  removed  to  Lancaster. 

13.  The  transactions  of  the  contending  armies  at  the  north, 
since  the  termination  of  the  expedition  to  Canada,  now  demand 
our  attention.    The  Americans  halted  at  Crownpoint,  the  British 
at  St.  Johns,  and  both  employed  the  remainder  of  the  summer 
in  building  vessels  and  making  preparations  to  secure  the  com 
mand  of  lake  Champlain. 

14.  On  the  llth  of  October,  1776,  the  American  and  British 
squadrons  met,  colonel  Arnold,  who  had  been  a  sailor  in  his 
youth,   commanding  the  former.     After  a  short  contest,  the 
enemy,  not  being  then  able  to  bring  their  whole  force  into  action, 
retired.     The  next  day,  they  returned  to  the  combat,  and  being 
greatly  superior,  drove  the  American  squadron  before  them,  to 


170  .REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1776 

the  head  of  the  lake.     A  sharp  action  then  took  place ;  the  offi 
cers  and  men  fought  gallantly,  but  Arnold  losing  a  part  of  his 
force,  and  perceiving  defeat  to  be  inevitable,  ran  the  remainder 
of  his  vessels  on  shore  and  set  them  on  fire. 

15.  Winter  approaching,  governor  Carleton  returned  with  his 
troops  to  Canada.     General  Burgoyne,  who  had  served  under 
him  during  the  last  campaign,  made  a  voyage  to  England  to  con 
cert  a  plan  for  future  operations.     It  was  determined  that  a 
powerful  army,  departing  from  Montreal,  should  proceed,  by 
way  of  lake  Champlain,  to  the  Hudson,  with  the  view  of  obtain 
ing,  by  the  co-operation  of  the  army  at  New- York,  the  entire 
command  of  that  river.     All  communication  between  the  states 
of  New-England,  and  the  others  lying  south  of  them,  would  thus 
be  prevented.     Either  section,  alone  and  unsupported,  could,  it 
was  supposed,  be  easily  subdued  ;  and  the  whole  strength  of  the 
nation  might  then  be  directed  against  the  other. 

16.  Nothing  was  omitted  which  might  insure  the  success  of 
this  project.     Seven  thousand  choice  troops,  to  be  sent  from 
England,  were  allotted  to  the  service.    They  were  supplied  with 
an  excellent  train  of  brass  artillery,  and  with  every  thing  which 
could  add  to  their  efficiency  as  an  army.     The  command  was 
given  to  Burgoyne,  and  several  officers  of  distinguished  reputa 
tion  were  selected  to  serve  under  him. 

17.  General  Schuyler  of  New- York,  a  worthy  officer,  whose 
talents  were  solid  but  not  brilliant,  had  the  chief  command  of 
the  northern  department.     He  was  indefatigable  in  making  pre 
parations  for  defence ;  and  such  was  his  zeal  in  the  cause  of  in 
dependence,  and  such  his  deserved  popularity  in  his  native  state, 
that  he  doubtless  accomplished  more  than  any  other  person  could 
have  done.     Still,  at  a  late  period  in  the  spring,  the  fortifica 
tions  were  incomplete,  and  but  few  troops  or  munitions  of  war 
were  collected. 

18.  Very  early  in  the  season,.  Burgoyne  arrived  at  Quebec. 
He  immediately  despatched  colonel  St.  Leger  with  a  party  of 
regulars,  tories,  and  Indians,  by  the  way  of  the  St.  Lawrence  to 
Oswego,  directing  him  to  proceed  thence  to  the  Mohawk,  and 
join  him  at  Albany.     With  the  main  army,  augmented,  in  Cana 
da,  to  ten  thousand  men,  he  hastened  to  Ticonderoga,  before 
which  he  appeared  on  the  first  of  July.     On  his  way,  he  held  a 
conference,  at  the  river  Bouquet,  with  a  large  number  of  savages, 
whom  British  agents  had  persuaded  to  join  the  army. 

19.  The  garrison  of  Ticonderoga,  which  was  then  commanded 
by  general  St.  Clair,  was  insufficient  to  defend  it  against  so 
powerful  a  force.     It  was  evacuated  in  the  night  of  the  5th,  the 
troops  crossing  lake  Champlain  and  retreating  towards  Casllcton, 


1777.}  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR, 

in  Vermont.  The  enemy  pursued,  and  on  the  morning  of  the 
7th,  their  van  overtook  and  attacked  the  American  rear,  under 
colonels  Francis  and  Warner.  The  action  was  warm  and  well 
contested ;  but  other  troops  arriving1  to  the  aid  of  the  British, 
the  Americans  were  compelled  to  give  way. 

20.  The  retreat  now  became  precipitate  and  disorderly  ;  the 
pursuit  rapid  and  persevering.     At  length,  the  republican  army, 
diminished  in  number,    exhausted  by  fatigue,  and  dispirited  by 
misfortunes,  arrived,  by  various  routes,  at  fort  Edward,  on  the 
Hudson,  the  head-quarters  of  general  Schuyler.     These  disas 
trous  events  spread  terror  and  dismay  throughout  the  land.    The 
people,  ignorant  of  the  weakness  of  the  army,  attributed  its  re 
treat  to  cowardice  or  treachery,  and  trembled  at  the  dangers 
which  menaced  them  from  the  British,  Germans,  and  savages. 

21.  The  royal  forces,  elated  by  success,  proceeded  through 
the  wilderness  towards  fort  Edward.     Their  progress  was  slow 
and  toilsome.     General  Schuyler,  on  their  approach,  evacuated 
the  fort,  and  retired  across  the  Hudson  to  Saratoga.     Soon  af 
ter,  he  descended  the  river  to  Stillwater ;  and,  the  British  con 
tinuing  to  advance,  he  retreated,  on  the  14th  of  August,  to  the 
islands  at  the  confluence  of  the  Mohawk  and  Hudson,  a  few 
miles  north  of  Troy.     About  the  same  time,  intelligence  was 
received,  that  St.  Leger,  having  penetrated  from  Oswego  to  the 
Mohawk,  had  laid  siege  to  fort  Schuyler,  situated  in  the  present 
township  of  Rome. 

22.  The  American  general,  before  leaving  fort  Edward,  is 
sued  a  proclamation  calling  to  his  aid  the  militia  of  New-Eng 
land  and  New- York.    Aroused  by  the  danger,  multitudes  obeyed  f 
his  call.     Vermont  poured  forth  her  daring  Green-Mountain  ' 
boys ;  the  other  states  of  New-England  their  hardy  yeomanry, 
ardent  in  the  cause  of  freedom ;  New-York,  h«r  valiant  sons, 
indignant  at  this  invasion  of  her  territory,  and  determined  to 
protect  their  property  from  pillage  and  destruction.     These  be 
set  the  invaders  on  every  side,  impeding  their  progress,  cutting 
orf  their  supplies,  and  fatiguing  them  by  incessant  attacks. 

23.  Burgoyne,  finding  it  difficult  to  transport  his  provisions 
through  the  wilderness,  despatched  colonel  Baum,  with  five  hun 
dred  Hessians,  to  seize  a  quantity  of  beef  and  flour  which  the 
Americans  had  collected  and  deposited  at  Bennington.     Fortu 
nately,  general  Stark,  at  the  head  of  a  party  of  New-Hampshire 
militia,  had  just  arrived  at  that  place,  on  his  way  to  the  main  ar-  ' 
my,  and  been  joined  by  volunteers  from  the  immediate  neigh 
borhood.     Baum,  ascertaining  their  number  to  be  greater  than 
his  own,  halted  near  Bennington,  erected  breastworks,  and  sent 
bark  for  a  reinforcement. 


172  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1777. 

24.  In  several  skirmishes  between  small  detachments,  the 
militia  were  uniformly  successful.     This  sharpening  their  cou 
rage,  Stark  resolved  to  attack  the  main  body.     On  the  16th  of 
August,  a  fierce  and  sanguinary  battle  took  place.     For  two 
hours,  the  Hessians  fought  bravely,  but  their  works,  assaulted 
by  braver  troops,  were  at  length  entered,  and  most  of  the  de 
tachment  either  killed  or  made  prisoners. 

25.  Just  after  this  action  had  terminated,  colonel  Breyman 
arrived  with  the  reinforcement  sent  to  Baum.     The  militia,  ap 
prehending  no  danger,  had  dispersed  in  pursuit  of  plunder  or  the 
fugitives.     By  carelessness  was  nearly  lost  all  that  by  valor  had 
been  gained.     Happily,  at  this  critical  juncture,  colonel  Warner 
arrived  from  Manchester  with  a  continental  regiment,  and  im 
mediately  fell  upon  Breyman.     The  militia,  rallying,  hastened 
to  his  aid.     The  battle  continued  until  sunset,  when  the  enemy 
retreated,  and  under  cover  of  the  night  the  greater  part  effected 
their  escape. 

26.  The  tide  of  fortune  was  now  turned.   The  decisive  victory 
at  Bennington  diffused  confidence  and  joy.     The  friends  of  in 
dependence,  before  depressed  by  disaster  and  defeat,  were  now 
animated  by  the  prospect,  which  suddenly  burst  upon  them,  of 
a  glorious  victory  over  an  arrogant  and  once  dreaded  enemy 
The  greatest  zeal  and  activity  were  every  where  displayed. 
Again  crowds  of  militia  flocked  to  the  republican  camp. 

27.  In  a  few  days,  cheering  intelligence  arrived  from  fort  Schuy- 
ler.     The  garrison  under  colonels  Gansevoort  and  Willet,  had, 
In  the  midst  of  the  most  discouraging  circumstances,  made  a  gal 
lant  defence  against  the  forces  of  St.  Leger.     General  Herld- 
mer,  marching  with  eight  hundred  militia  to  their  relief,  fell  into 
an  ambuscade,  was  defeated  and  slain ;  but  a  larger  party  was 
speedily  collected  and  immediately  despatched,  under  general 
Arnold,  upon  the  same  service. 

28.  The  Indians,  alarmed  by  their  approach,  and  fatigued  and 
disgusted  by  the  protracted  labors  of  the  siege,  threatened  to 
abandon  St.  Leger,  if  he  would  not  relinquish  his  enterprise. 
He  reluctantly  consented,  and  with  the  loss  of  his  baggage  and 
stores  retreated  to  Montreal.     Burgoyne  was  thus  deprived  of 
his  expected  co-operation,  and  the  militia  of  that  part  of  the  state 
were  enabled  to  join  the  American  army. 

29.  The  disasters  which  befell  this  army  at  the  commence 
ment  of  the  campaign  induced  congress  to  recall  the  generals 
who  commanded  it,  and  to  appoint,  in  their  places,  generals 
Gates,  Lincoln,  and  Arnold.     Having  the  control  of  more  abun 
dant  and  powerful  means,  they  aqted  with  more  energy  and 
boldness.     Gate?,  leaving  the  encampment  on  the  islands,  to 


1777.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  173 

which  Schuyler  had  retreated,  advanced,  in  the  beginning  o? 
September,  to  the  neighborhood  of  Stillwater. 

30.  Burgoyne,  after  the  defeat  of  Baum,  was  obliged  to  have 
recourse ,  for  provisions,  to  the  magazines  at  fort  George.     The 
laborious  task  of    ransporting  them  through  the  wilderness  to 
the  Hudson  bein^  accomplished,  he  moved  forward,  and  on  the 
17th  of  September,  encamped  within  four  miles  of  the  Ame 
rican  army. 

31.  The  next  day,  the  first  battle  of  Stillwater  was  fought. 
It  was  begun  by  skirmishes  between  the  scouting  par-ties  of  the 
two  armies,  which  were  respectively  and  repeatedly  reinforced, 
until  nearly  the  whole  of  each  was  engaged.     Both  fought  with 
determined  resolution  ;  they  alternately  drove  and  were  driven 
by  each  other.     A  continual  blaze  of  fire  was  kept  up.     Men, 
and  particularly  officers,  dropped  every  moment  and  on  every 
side.     Night  put  an  end  to  the  conflict. 

32.  The  American  army  retired  to  their  camp  ;  the  British 
lay  on  their  arms  near  the  field  of  battle.    The  loss  of  the  former 
was  three  hundred  and  nineteen  ;   that  of  the  latter  exceeded 
five  hundred.     Each  claimed  the  victory  ;  the  consequences  of 
defeat  were  felt  by  the  British  alone.     Their  hopes  of  success 
were  diminished,  their  Indian  allies,  the  Canadians  and  tories, 
were  disheartened  and  deserted  them. 

33.  Pressed  on  all  sides,  Burgoyne  made  frequent  and  ur 
gent  applications  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  at  New- York,  for  aid, 
and  informed  him  that,  in  expectation  of  such  aid,  he  would 
maintain  his  present  position  until  the  12th  of  October.      He 
diminished  the  allowance  of  provisions  to  his  soldiers,  and  having 
waited  until  the  7th,  without  receiving  any  intelligence  from 
Clinton,  determined  to  make  another  trial  of  strength  with  his 
adversary. 

34.  He  made  dispositions  to  commence  the  action  with  the 
right  wing  of  his  army ;    Gates,  discovering  his  design,  made 
a  sudden  and  vigorous  attack  upon  the  left.      In  a  short  time, 
the  whole  of  both  armies  was  engaged.     This  battle  was  furious, 
obstinate,  and  more  bloody  than  the  other.     Arnold  was  emi 
nently  distinguished  for  his  bravery  and  rashness.     Towards 
night,  the   enemy,  who   had   fought  with  desperate  valor,  gave 
way.      A  part  of  their  works  were  stormed  and  taken,  and 
more  than  two  hundred  men  made  prisoners. 

35.  Darkness  put  an  end  to  this  action  also.     The  Ameri 
cans  lay  upon  their  arms  near  the  enemy's  lines,  intending  to 
renew  the  battle  the  next  day  ;  but  Burgoyne,  during  the  night, 
withdrew  to  a  stronger  position.     Gates  forbore  to  pursue,  be- 
ivovint*  that  o  bloodless  victory  was  now  in  his  power. 


174  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1777. 

36.  In  the  mean  time,  Sir  Henry  Clinton  despatched  general 
Vaughan  with  three  thousand  men,  to  endeavor  to  relieve  Bur- 
goyne.     He  ascended  the  Hudson,  and  on  the  sixth  of  October, 
assaulted  and  took  fort  Montgomery ;  but  instead  of  hastening 
forward,  he  consumed  a  whole  week  in  pillaging-  and  burning 
Jfisopus,  and  other  flourishing  villages  on  the  river.     He  perhaps 
expected  that  this  wanton  destruction  of  property  would  draw 
off  a  part  of  the  forces  under  Gates  ;  but  it  had  no  other  effect 
than  to  exasperate  the  inhabitants. 

37.  Burgoyne,  perceiving  that  his  antagonist  was  endeavor 
ing  to  surround  him,  retreated  to  the  heights  of  Saratoga.     The 
Americans  pursued,  keeping  a  sufficient  force  on  the  east  bank 
of  the  river  to  prevent  him  from  crossing.     The  situation  of 
the  British  troops  was  now  distressing  in  the  extreme.      Many 
of  their  most  valued  officers  had  been  killed.     Their  strength 
was  exhausted  by  incessant  exertion  ;  they  were  almost  encir 
cled  by  their  enemy,  and  were  greatly  annoyed  by  a  continual 
and  destructive  cannonade.     From  this  forlorn  condition  but 
one  mode  of  escape  remained,  a  forced  march  in  the  night  to 
fort  George.     This  expedient  was  resolved  on,  and  preparations 
were  made  ;  but  the  scouts  sent  out  returned  with  intelligence 
that  all  the  passes  were  guarded  by  strong  bodies  of  militia. 

38.  An  account  of  provisions  was  then  taken,  and  a  supply 
for  no  more  than  three  days  was  found  on  hand.     No  hope  of 
rescue  within  that  time  could  be  indulged.     Burgoyne  summon 
ed  his  principal  officers  to  a  council.     It  is  said  that  while  de 
liberating,  a  cannon  ball  crossed  the  table  around  which  they 
sat.     By  their  unanimous  advice,  he  opened  a  negotiation  with 
the  American  general,  and  on  the  17th  of  October,  surrendered 
his  whole  army  prisoners  of  war. 

39.  Great  were  the  rejoicings  occasioned  by  this  glorious 
victory.     Many  supposed  it  would  terminate  the  contest.     In 
the  joy  of  success,  all  feelings  of  resentment  were  forgotten 
From  regard  to  the  feelings  of  the  vanquished,  general  Gates, 
while  they  were  piling  their  anus,  kept  the  victorious  troops 
within  his  camp.     The  British  officers,  in  social  converse  with 
the  Americans,  were  led  to  forget  their  misfortune,   and  the 
troops,  when  on  their  march  to  Massachusetts,  did  not  receive 
from  the  people  that  vindictive  treatment  which  their  distressing 
depredations,  and  those  of  their  fellow  soldiers  under  Vaughan, 
would  have  excused,  if  not  justified. 

40.  Against  this  band  of  marauders,   general  Gates  marched 
soon  after  the  capitulation  was  signed  ;  but  on  learning  the  fate 
of  Burgoyne,  they  retired  to  New- York.      About  the  same  time, 
the  garrison  left  at  Ticonderoga,  having  rendered  their  cannon 


1777.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  175 

useless,  returned  to  Canada,  and  the  northern  department  was 
restored  to  perfect  tranquility. 

41.  While  the  exertions  of  the  northern  army  were  rewarded 
by  brilliant  success,  that  of  the  south,  equally  brave  and  meri 
torious,  but  enfeebled  by  the  detachments  which  Washington 
generously  spared  to   Gates,    sustained   distressing    reverses. 
The  greatest  was  at  Germantown,  in  the  vicinity  of  Philadel 
phia,  where  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  was  stationed. 

42.  Upon  this  body,  at  sunrise,  on  the  fourth  of  October,  the 
American  general  made  a  bold  and  vigorous  attack.     So  sudden 
and  spirited  was  the  onset,  that  the  enemy,  unable  to  sustain  it, 
fled,  and  a  complete  victory  appeared  in  prospect.     But  six  Bri 
tish  companies,  while  retreating,  threw  themselves  into  a  large 
stone  house,  from  which,  in  entire  safety,  they  poured  a  destruc 
tive  fire  upon  the  American  troops.     The  pursuit  was  arrested, 
and  much  time  consumed  in  a  vain  attempt  to  demolish  this  for 
tress. 

43.  The  fugitives  rallied,  and  turned  upon  the  assailants. 
Confusion  followed,  and  a  thick  fog,  which  that  moment  arose, 
increased  it.     The  different  divisions,  ignorant  of  the  positions 
smd  success  of  the  others,  uncertain  even  as  to  their  own,  acted 
with  indecision  and  timidity.     A  retreat  was  therefore  directed, 
and  the  troops  withdrew  in  good  order. 

44.  In  this  action,  in  which  fortune  snatched  victory  from  the 
grasp  of  the  Americans,  they  sustained  a  loss  of  twelve  hundred 
men ;  that  of  the  British  was  less  than  six  hundred.     But  the 
vanquished  sustained  no  loss  of  reputation  nor  confidence.  Their 
country  applauded  the  boldness  of  the  attempt,  and  the  enemy 
felt  higher  respect  for  their  courage  and  discipline. 

45.  The  British  army  soon  after  left   Germantown,  and 
marched  to  attack  the  American  posts  on  the  river  Delaware 
below  Philadelphia.     On  the  22d  of  October,  a  body  of  twelve 
hundred  Hessians,  commanded  by  count  Donop,  made  an  intre 
pid  assault  upon  the  fortifications  at  Red  Bank.     They  were  re 
pulsed  with  great  loss,  and  their  gallant  leader  killed. 

46.  Fort  Mifflin,  on  Mud  Island,  was  next  attacked.     For  six 
days  it  was  bravely  defended.     It  Was  then  evacuated,  the  works 
having  been  almost  demolished  by  the  enemy's  artillery.     Pre 
parations  being  made  for  a  second  assault,  with  a  much  lai  ger 
force,  upon  the  post  at  Red  Bank,  that  was  also  evacuated,  and 
thus  was  opened  a  free  communication  between  the  British  army 
and  their  fleet,  which  had  sailed  round  to  the  mouth  of  the  De 
laware. 

47.  After  several  movements  of  the  respective  armies,  which 
n?»d  no  important  result,  general  Washington  withdrew  to  winter 


176  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1778. 

quarters  in  the  woods  of  Valley  Forge.  His  troops  were  desti 
tute  of  shoes,  and  might  have  been  tracked  by  the  blood  of  their 
feet.  They  passed  the  winter  in  huts,  suffered  extreme  distress 
from  want  of  clothing  and  of  food,  but  endured  their  privations 
without  a  murmur.  How  strong  must  have  been  their  love  of 
liberty  !  With  what  lively  gratitude  ought  a  prosperous  country, 
indebted  to  them  for  the  most  valuable  blessings,  to  remember 
their  sufferings  and  services  ? 


CHAPTER  XX. 

CAMPAIGN  OF  1778 


WHIL.G  "the  American  armies  were  contending  in  the  field, 
or  suffering  in  the  camp,  congress  were  occupied  in  the  per 
formance  of  duties  important  to  the  cause  of  independence.  At 
first,  this  body  possessed  no  powers,  but  such  as  were  conferred 
by  the  credentials  and  instructions  a;iven,  by  the  state  legislatures, 
to  their  respective  delegates.  Early  in  1776,  a  confederation  of 
the  states  was  proposed  ;  but  until  the  15th  of  November,  1777, 
^11  the  obstacles  to  the  measure  could  not  be  surmounted. 

2.  The  "  Articles  of  Confederation"  then  adopted  by  Con 
gress,  and  subsequently  ratified  by  the  several  assemblies,  bound 
the  states  in  a  firm  league  of  friendship  with  each  other,  for  their 
common  defence  and  the  security  of  their  liberties.     Delegates 
were  to  be  annually  appointed,  who,  when  assembled  in  con 
gress,  were  authorized  to  carry  on  war,  to  make  peace,  and  to 
exercise  the  powers  of  sovereignty  in  relation  to  foreign  nations. 
They  were  also  authorized  to  determine  the  number  of  men, 
rmd  the  amount  of  money  to  be  raised,  and  to  assign  to  each  state 
its  just  proportion. 

3.  But  so  unwilling  were  the  states  to  relinquish  their  recently 
fi<;  uniied  independence,  that  they  withheld  from  congress  the  au- 
tnority  to  make  laws  which  should  operate  directly  upon  the 
people  ;  and  reserved  to  themselves  the  sole  right  of  raising  their 
proportions  of  money  in  such  manner  as  each  might  deem  most 
expedient* 

4.  Congress  also  effected  a  thorough  reform  of  the  commis 
sary  department,  in  which  scandalous  frauds  bad  been  committed 


1778]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  177 

And  in  order  to  introduce  a  uniform  system  of  tactics  and 
discipline,  they  resolved  that  an  inspector-general  should  be  ap 
pointed.  Subsequently  they  elected  to  that  office  the  Baron 
Steuben,  a  native  of  Prussia,  who  had  served  in  a  high  station  in 
the  army  of  Frederic  the  great,  and  was  well  versed  in  the  sys 
tem  of  manoeuvres  introduced  by  that  celebrated  commander. 

5.  The  signal  victory  at  Saratoga  exalted  the  reputation  of 
the  confederated  states,  in  every  part  of  Europe.     The  French 
ministry  no  longer  hesitated  to  acknowledge  their  independence. 
On  the  sixth  of  February,  they  concluded,  with  the  American 
commissioners,  treaties  of  commerce  and  of  alliance,  in  which 
they  generously  assented  to  terms  highly  advantageous  to  the 
states.     This  event,  so  flattering  to  the  hopes  and  the  pride  of 
the  people,  occasioned  the  liveliest  joy,  and  the  most  ardent 
gratitude  to  France. 

6.  Among  the  people  of  Great  Britain,  the  defeat  of  their 
favorite  general  produced  astonishment,  dismay,  and  indignation. 
The  most  brilliant  success  was  anticipated  ;  the  most  ignomi 
nious  result  had  occurred.    The  pride  of  the  nation  was  humbled, 
and  they  who  had  disapproved  of  the  war,  poured  upon  the 
ministry  a  torrent  of  invective.     To  increase  the  bitterness  of 
their  chagrin,  they  soon  learned  the  course  which  their  heredi 
tary  enemy  and  rival  had  resolved  to  pursue. 

7.  It  was  now  determined  ik  the  cabinet,  to  grant  to  America 
all  that  she  had  demanded,  in  the  beginning  of  the  contest.     An 
act  was  passed,  declaring  that  parliament  would  not,  in  future, 
impose  any  tax  upon  the  colonies  ;  and  commissioners  were  sent 
over,  authorized  to  proclaim  a  repeal  of  all  the  offensive  statutes, 
and  to  treat  with  the  constituted  authorities  of  America. 

8.  The  commissioners,  arriving  at  Philadelphia  in  the  spring, 
communicated  to  congress  the  terms  offered  by  Great  Britain, 
which  were  at  once  unanimously  rejected.     Failing  in  the  use 
of  direct  and  honorable  means,  they  attempted  bribery  and  cor 
ruption.     To  Joseph  Reed,  a  general  in  the  army  and  a  mem 
ber  of  congress,  an  offer  was  made  of  ten  thousand  pounds 
sterling,  and  any  office  within  his  majesty's  gift  in  the  colonies, 
if  he  would  endeavor  to  effect  a  reunion  of  the  two  countries. 
"  I  am  not  worth  purchasing,"  he  nobly  replied,  "  but  such  as 
1  am,  the  king  of  Great  Britain  is  not  rich  enough  to  do  it." 

9.  On  receiving  official  notification  of  the  treaties  concluded 
with  her  revolted  colonies,  Great  Britain  declared  war  against 
France ;  and  the  ministry,  presuming  that  assistance  would  be 
sent  them,  transmitted  orders  by  the  commissioners,  that  Phila 
delphia  should  be  evacuated,  and  the  royal  troops  concentrated 
at  .New-York.     The  execution  of  these  orders  devolved  upon 


178  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1776. 

sir  Henry  Clinton,  who,  general  Howe  having  resigned,  had 
been  appointed  commander-in-chief.  On  the  18th  of  June,  the 
enemy  quitted  the  city,  and  marched  slowly  eastward. 

10.  Washington,  leaving  his  huts  in  the  forest,  hung  upon  the 
rear  of  the  British  army,  watching  for  a  favorable  opportunity 
to  offer  battle.     On  arriving   at   Monmouth,  in   New-Jersey, 
general  Lee,  who  had  lately  been  exchanged,  was  ordered  to 
take  the.  command  of  five  thousand  men,  and,  early  in  the  morn 
ing  of  the  28th,  unless  there  should  be  powerful  reasons  to  tbe 
contrary,  to  commence  an  attack.     He  was  assured,  that  the  re 
sidue  of  the  army  should  follow  and  give  him  support. 

11.  Lee  made  dispositions  to  attack  accordingly,  but  perceiv 
ing  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  returning  to  meet  him,  he 
retreated.     Washington,  advancing  to  render  the  promised  sup 
port,  saw  him  retiring,  rode  forward  and  addressed  him  in  lan 
guage  implying  disapprobation  of  his  conduct.    He  then  directed 
him  to  form  his  men,  on  ground  which  he  pointed  out,  and  there 
oppose  the  progress  of  the  enemy. 

12.  These  orders  were  executed  with  firmness.     A  warm  en 
gagement  ensued,  and  Lee,  when  forced   from  the   ground, 
brought  off  his  troops  in  good  order.     Washington,  at  this  mo 
ment,  arrived  with  the  main  body  of  his  army,  which  joined  in 
the  action,  and  compelled  the  enemy  to  fall  back  to  the  position 
from  which  Lee  had  been  driver^ 

13.  The  day  had  been  intensely  hot;  it  was  now  almost  dark, 
and  the  troops  were  much  fatigueli.     Further  operations  were 
therefore  deferred  until  the  next'  morning.     In  the  night,  sir 
Henry  Clinton  silently  left  his  position,  and  continued  his  march 
to  New- York.     His  loss  amounted  to  near  five  hundred  men  ; 
that  of  the  Americans  to  three  hundred.     Heat  and  excessive 
fatigue  proved  fatal  to  many. 

14.  Lee,  irritable  and  proud,  could  not  forget  the  manner  in 
which  Washington  had  addressed  him ;  and  in  two  passionate 
letters,  demanded  reparation.     A  court  martial  was  instituted  : 
he  was  found  guilty  of  misconduct  on  the  day  of  battle,  and  of 
disrespect  to  the  commander-in-chief,  arid  was  suspended  from 
command  for  one  year.     He  never  afterwards  joined  the  army, 
but  died  in  seclusion  just  before  the  close  of  the  war. 

1 5.  The  enemy  having  entered  New- York,  Washington  con 
ducted  his  army  to  White  Plains.     Congress  returned  to  Phila 
delphia;  and  in  July  received,  with  inexpressible  joy,  a  letter 
from  the  count  d5  Estaing,  announcing  his  arrival  on  the  coast 
of  the  United  States,  with  a  large  fleet,  which  had  beeoi  sent,  by 
the  king  of  France,  to  assist  them  in  their  struggle  for  indepen 
dence. 


1778.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR  179 

16.  The  count  intended  to  surprise  admiral  Howe  in  the  De 
laware,  but  adverse  winds  detained  him  on  the  passage,  until  the 
British  fleet  had  sailed  for  New- York.     He  appeared  before 
that  harbor,  but  on  sounding  found  that  his  largest  ships  could 
not  enter  it.     A  combined  attack,  by  land  and  water,  upon  the 
British  forces  at  Newport,  in  Rhode  Island,  was  then  projected. 

17.  General  Sullivan,  who  had  been  appointed  to  command 
the  troops,  called  upon  the  militia  of  New-England  to  aid  him 
in  the  enterprise.      His  army  soon  amounted  to  ten  thousand 
men,  and,  as  he  was  supported  by  the  fleet,  he  felt  confident  o? 
success.     On  the  ninth  of  August,  he  took  a  position  on  the 
north  end  of  Rhode  Island,  and  afterwards  moved  nearer  to 
Newport.     Admiral  Howe,  having  received  a  reinforcement, 
now  appeared  before  the  harbor,  and  the  count  instantly  put  to 
sea  to  attack  him. 

18.  While  making  the  preparatory  manoeuvres,  a  furious  storm 
came  on,  which  damaged  and  dispersed  both  fleets.     As  soon  as 
the  weather  would  permit,  each  commander  sought  the  port  from 
which  he  had  sailed.     The  army,  intent  upon  their  own  object, 
witnessed  with  joy  the  return  of  the  French  fleet ;  and  great  was 
their  disappointment  when  the  count  announced  his  intention  of 
proceeding  to  Boston  to  refit.     The  American  officers  remon 
strated,  but  he  was  inflexible  and  departed. 

19.  The  army,  deserted  by  the  fleet,  could  remain  no  longer, 
with  safety,  on  the  island,  as  the  enemy  might  easily  transport, 
by  water,  large  reinforcements  from  New- York  to  Newport. 
General  Sullivan  immediately  retreated  to  his  first  position.    He 
was  pursued,  and  shortly  after  halting,  was  attacked  by  the  ene 
my.     They  were  gallantly  resisted  and  repulsed  with  loss. 

20.  The  next  day,  the  two  armies  connonacled  each  other, 
and  the  succeeding  night  the  American  general,  deceiving  the 
enemy  by  a  show  of  resistance  to  the  last,  made  a  skilful  retreat 
to  the  continent.     A  few  bom's  afterwards,  the  British  received 
such  an  augmentation  of  their  force,  that  all  resistance,  on  the 
part  of  the  Americans,  would  have  been  vain.     At  the  close  of 
the  season,  the  French  fleet  sailed  to  the  West  Indies. 

21.  During  this  year,  the  British  troops  and  their  allies  dis 
played,  in  several  instances,  a  degree  of  barbarity  seldom  equal 
led  in  contests  between  civilized  nations.     That  they  were  con 
tending  against  revolted  subjects,  seemed  to  release  them,  in 
their  view,  from  all  regard  to  the  common  usages  of  war.     The 
late  alliance  with  France,  the  hated  rival  of  their  nation,  increas 
ed  their  hostility.     Instead  of  striving  to  conquer  an  honorable  . 
foe,  they  thirsted  as  for  vengeance  on  a  criminal  and 

22.  With  such  vindictive  feelings,  Wyoming,  a  hap 


ISO  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [ma 

flourishing  settlement  in  Pennsylvania,  was  attacked  by  a  band 
of  tories  and  Indians.  The  men  were  butchered,  the  houses 
burned,  and  the  cattle  driven  off  or  killed.  Those  who  had  been 
made  widows  and  orphans  were  left  without  shelter  and  without 
food.  Seldom  has  war  spread  distress  and  ruin  over  a  more  de 
lightful  region.  New-Bedford,  Martha's  Vineyard,  Eggharbor, 
and  Cherry  valley,  were  also  visited  and  ravaged  by  the  enemy. 
All  the  property  within  reach  was  destroyed,  and  multitudes  of 
peaceful  and  unoffending  inhabitants  were  reduced  to  poverty 
and  wretchedness. 

23.  But  in  no  instance  did  the  enemy  evince  more  ferocious, 
unrelenting  cruelty  than  in  their  attack  upon  colonel  Baylor's 
troop  of  light  dragoons.     While  asleep  in  a  barn  at  Tappan, 
they  were  surprised  by  a  party  under  general  Grey,  who  com 
manded  his  soldiers  to  use  the  bayonet  only,  and  to  give  the  re 
bels  no  quarter.     Incapable  of  defence,  they  sued  for  mercy. 
But  the  most  pathetic  supplications  were  heard  without  awaken 
ing  compassion  in  the  commander.     Nearly  one  half  of  the 
troop  were  killed.     To  many,  repeated  thrusts  were  barbarous 
ly  given  as  long  as  signs  of  life  remained.     Several  who  had 
nine,  ten,  and  eleven  stabs  through  the  body,  and  were  left  for 
dead,  afterwards  recovered.     A  few  escaped,  and  forty  were 
saved  by  the  humanity  of  a  British  captain,  who  dared  to  diso 
bey  the  orders  of  his  general. 

24.  Late  in  the  fall,  the  army  under  Washington  erected  huts 
near  Middlebrook,  in  New-Jersey,  in  which  they  passed  the 
winter.     In  this  campaign,  but  little  on  either  side  was  accom 
plished.     The  alliance  with  France  gave  birth  to  expectations 
which  events  did  not  fulfil ;  yet  the  presence  of  her  fleets  on  the 
coast  deranged  the  plans  of  the  enemy,  and  induced  them  to  re 
linquish  a  part  of  tiieir  conquests.     At  the  close  of  the  year,  it 
was  apparent  that  Great  Britain  had  made  no  progress  in  the 
accomplishment  of  her  purposes. 


the  K. 
dence. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1779. 

THE  campaign  of  1779,  was  distinguished  by  a  change  of  the 
theatre  of  war,  from  the  northern  to  the  southern  section  of  the 
confederacy.  Thither  the  enemy  were  invited  by  the  prospect 
of  easier  victory.  The  country  was  rendered  weak  by  its  scat 
tered  population,  by  the  multitude  of  slaves,  and  by  the  number 
of  tories  intermingled  with  the  whigs. 

2.  Near  the  close  of  the  preceding  year,  lieutenant-colonel 
Campbell,  with  2500  men,  sailed  from  New- York  to  the  coast  of 
Georgia,  and  landed  his  troops.  Marching  towards  Savannah,  the 
capital,  he  met  on  his  route  a  small  body  of  Americans,  whom  he 
defeated,  and  immediately  took  possession  of  the  city.     A  de 
tachment  from  Florida  under  general  Prevost  invested  Sunbury, 
which,  after  the  fall  of  the  capital,  surrendered  at  discretion. 
These  were  the  only  military  posts  in  Georgia.     All  the  troops 
that  could  escape  retreated  into  South- Carolina. 

3.  Soon  after  the  conquest  of  Georgia,  general  Lincoln  took 
command  of  the  American  troops  in  the  southern  department. 
In  April,  leaving  South- Carolina,  he  marched  into  the  interior  of 
Georgia;  upon  which  the  British  army,  entering  the  state  he  had 
left,  invested  Charleston,  the  capital.     Lincoln  hastened  back  to 
its  defence.     On  hearing  of  his  approach,  the  enemy  retired  to 
Stono  ferry.     Thither  Lincoln  pursued  them.     An  indecisive 
action  was  fought ;  and  a  few  days  afterwards,  they  continued 
their  retreat  to  Savannah. 

4.  The  heat  of  the  season  suspended  farther  operations  until 
September.  Count  d'  Estaing,  with  a  fleet  carrying  6000  troops, 
then  arrived  on  the  coast.   The  two  armies,  in  concert,  laid  siege 
to  Savannah.   At  the  expiration  of  a  month,  the  count,  impatient 
of  delay,  insisted  that  the  siege  should  be  'abandoned,  or  that  a 
combined  assault  upon  the  enemy's  works  should  immediately  be 
made.  General  Lincoln  determined  upon  an  assault.  Great  gallan 
try  was  displayed  by  the  French  and  American,  but  greater  by  the 
British  troops.  They  repulsed  the  assailants,  killing  and  wounding 
nearly  a  thousand  men,  and  sustaining,  on  their  part,  but  little  loss. 
The  count  Pulaski,  a  celebrated  Polish  nobleman,  in  the  service  of 
the  states,  was  mortally  wounded.     The  next  day  the  siege  was 
raised,  the  French  returning  home,  and  the  Americans  to  Soutii- 
Carolina. 

5.  In  the  midst  of  these  events,  general  Matthews,  sailing  from 
NeTv-York,  conducted  an  expedition  against  Virginia.     On  the 
10th  of  May,  he  took  possession  of  Portsmouth,  without  Q{>posi- 

Q 


J82  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1779. 

tion,  and  ravaged,  fortwo  weeks,  that  city  and  the  adjacent  country. 
The  booty  obtained,  and  the  property  destroyed,  were  of  immense 
value.  Before  the  expiration  of  May,  the  party  returned  to 
New-York. 

6.  Early  in  the  season,  colonel  Clarke,  of  Virginia,  who  was 
stationed  at  Kaskaskia,  on  the  Mississippi,  achieved  an  enterprise 
conspicuous  for  boldness  of  design,   and  evincing  uncommon 
hardihood  in  its  execution.     With  only  one  hundred  and  thirty 
men,  he  penetrated  through  the  wilderness,  to  St.  Vincents,  a 
British  post  on  the  Wahash,  in  the  heart  of  the  Indian  country. 
His  route  lay  across  deep  swamps  and  morasses.     For  four  or 
five  miles  the  party  waded  through  water,  often  as  high  as  the 
breast.     After  a  march  of  sixteen  days,  they  reached  the  town, 
which,  having  no   intimation   of  their  approach,  surrendered 
without  resistance.     A  short  time  after,  the  fort  capitulated. 
This  fortunate   achievment  arrested  an  expedition  which  the 
enemy  had  projected  against  the  frontiers  of  Virginia,  and  de 
tached  several  tribes  of  Indians  from  the  British  interest. 

7.  The  atrocities  committed  at  Wyoming,  and  at  several  settle 
ments  in  New-York,  cried  aloud  for  vengeance. — Congress,  as 
sembling  an  army  of  4000  men,  gave  the  command  of  it  to  general 
Sullivan,  and  directed  him  to  conduct  it  into  the  country  inhabited 
by  the  savages,  and  retort  upon  them  their  own  system  of  warfare. 
Of  this  army,  one  division  inarched  from  the  Mohawk,  the  other 
from  Wyoming,  and  both  forming  a  junction  on  the  Susquehan- 
nah,  proceeded,  on  the  22nd  of  August,  towards  the  Seneca  lake. 

8.  On  an  advantageous  position,  the  Indians,  in  conjunction 
with  200  tories,  had  erected  fortifications  to  oppose  their  progress. 
These  were  assaulted ;  the  enemy  after  a  slight  resistance,  gave 
way,  and  disappeared  in  the  woods.     As  the  army  advanced  into 
the  western  part  of  the  state  of  New- York,  that  region  now  so  fer 
tile  and  populous,  the  Indians  deserted  their  towns,  the  appearance 
of  which  denoted  a  higher  state  of  civilization  than  had  ever  be 
fore  been  witnessed  in  the  North  American  wilderness.     The 
houses  were  commodious ;  the  apple  and  peach-trees  numerous, 
and  the  crops  of  corn  then  growing  abundant.   All  were  destroy 
ed  ;  not  a  vestige  of  human  industry  was  permitted  to  exist. 

9.  Having  accomplished  this  work  of  vengeance,  severe  but 
deserved,  and  essential  to  the  future  safety  of  the  whites,  general 
Sullivan  returned  to  Easton,  in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  arrived 
about  the  middle  of  October.     His  whole  loss,  by  sickness  and 
the  enemy,  amounted  to  but  forty  men. 

10.  On  the  first  of  July,  general  Try  on  sailed  from  New- York 
with  a  large  body  of  troops,  and  landing  on  the  coast  of  Connecti 
cut,  plundered  New-Haven,  and  laid  Fairfieid  arid  Norwalk  iu 
*eh«i.  Before  his  return,  general  Wayne,  with  a  detachment  from 


1779.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  183 

the  American  army,  made  a  daring  assault  upon  Stoney  Point,  a 
strongly  fortified  post  on  the  Hudson.  About  twelve  at  night,  the 
troops,  with  unloaded  muskets,  arrived  before  the  lines.  They 
were  received  with  a  tremendous  discharge  of  grape-shot  and 
musketry.  Rushing  forward,  they  mounted  the  walls,  and  using 
the  bayonet  only,  were  soon  in  complete  possession  of  the  fort. 

11.  A  more  gallant  exploit  has  seldom  been  performed;  and 
the  humanity  of  the  victors  was  equal  to  their  valor.     Notwith 
standing  the  devastations  in  Connecticut,  and  the  butchery  of 
Baylor's  troop,  the  scene  of  which  was  near,  not  an  individual 
suffered  after  resistance  had  ceased.     Of  the  enemy,  sixty  were 
killed,  and  upwards  of  five  hundred  made  prisoners.     The  loss 
of  the  Americans  was  comparatively  small.     A  gold  medal,  pre 
sented  by  congress,  rewarded  the  heroism  of  the  victor. 

12.  In  September,  a  bloody  naval  battle  was  fought,  near  the 
coast  of  Scotland,  in  which  John  Paul  Jones  acquired  the  reputa 
tion  of  a  daring  and  fortunate  commander.    He  was  a  Scotchman 
by  birth,  but  had  been  appointed,  by  the  American  congress,  a 
captain  in  their  navy,  and  then  commanded  a  squadron  fitted  out 
in  the  ports  of  France.  At  half  past  seven  in  the  evening,  his  own 
ship,  the  Bon  homme  Richard,  of  40  guns,  engaged  the  Serapis, 
a  British  frigate  of  41.     After  the  action  hud  continued  an  hour, 
the  two  frigates  approached  so  near  to  each  other  that  .Jones, 
seizing  the  opportunity,  lashed  them  together. 

13.  The  battle  now  became  furious,  and  the  carnage  horrible. 
The  Serapis  was  on  fire  not  less  than  ten  times ;  and  often  both 
frigates  were  on  (ire  at  the  same  moment,  presenting  a  sublime 
and  dreadful  spectacle.     At  length,  the  Alliance,  one  of  Jones' 
squadron,  came  to  his  assistance ;  but  the  two  frigates  being  fast 
ened  together,  many  of  her  shot  struck  the  Bon  homme  Richard. 
At  ten  o'clock,  the  Serapis  surrendered.    Her  successful  antago 
nist  was  so  shattered,  that  the  crew  were  obliged  to  leave  her  im 
mediately,  and  she  soon  after  suuk.     The  Pallas,  which  was  also 
one  of  Jones'  squadron,  engaged  at  the  same  time  and  captured 
the  Countess  of  Scarborough.     The  squadron  with  the  prizes 
then  sailed  for  Holland,  and  arrived  there  in  safety. 

14.  At  the  close  of  the  season,  the  northern  army  retired  iuto 
winter-quarters,  one  division  near  Morristown,  in  New-Jersey, 
and  the  other  in  the  vicinity  of  Westpoirtt,  an  important  post  in 
the  highlands.     Here  they  endured  severe  and  constant  suffering- 
from  cold,  and  nakedness,  and  hunger.     Sometimes  half  the 
usual  allowance,  often  less,  was  distributed  to  the  troops  ;  arid 
more  than  once  the  provisions  were  wholly  exhausted. 

15.  Application  for  relief  was  made  to  the  magistrates  of  the 
neighborhood,  and  intimations  were  given  that  provisions,  so  pres 
sing  were  the  wants  of  the  army,  would  be  seized  by  force,  if  not 


184  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1780. 

furnished  voluntarily.  The  magistrates  promptly  attended  to  the 
call.  They  levied  contributions  arbitrarily  from  the  people,  who 
submitted  to  these  exactions  with  a  degree  of  patriotism  equalled 
only  by  that  displayed  by  the  soldiers  in  the  patient  endurance  of 
distress. 

16.  Derangement  in  the  finances  produced  these  sufferings. 
Large  sums  had  been  annually  raised  and  expended ;  and  the  ability 
of  the  people  to  pay  taxes  had  progressively  decreased.  To  supply 
deficiencies,  paper  money,  to  the  amount  of  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  millions  of  dollars,  had  been  issued.    This  gradually  depre 
ciated,  and,  at  the  close  of  1779,  thirty  dollars  in  paper  were  of  no 
more  value  than  one  in  specie.    To  purchase  provisions  with  this 
money  was  at  first  difficult,  and  then  impossible ;  and  congress 
now  found  their  funds  and  their  credit  exhausted. 

17.  A  change  of  system  was  necessary.     For  the  supply  of 
the  army,  each  state  was  directed  to  furnish  a  certain  quantity  of 
provisions  and  forage.     Loans  were  solicited  from  the  people, 
and  nearly  a  million  of  dollars  was  raised  by  bills  drawn  upon 
the  American  agents  in  Europe,  in  anticipation  of  loans  which 
they  had  been  authorized  to  procure.   These  expedients  afforded 
but  temporary  and  partial  relief. 

18.  No  class  of  persons  suffered  more  from  the  depreciation 
of  paper  money  than  the  army,  and  especially  the  officers.    The 
pay,  even  of  those  of  the  highest  grade,  was  rendered  insufficient 
to  provide  them  with  necessary  clothing.     Discontent  began  to 
pervade  the  whole  army.   It  required  all  the  enthusiastic  patriot 
ism  which  distinguishes  the  soldier  of  principle  ;  all  that  ardent 
attachment  to  freedom  which  brought  them  into  the  field ;  all  the 
influence  of  the  commander-in-chief,  whom  they  almost  adored, 
to  retain  in  the  service  men  who  felt  themselves  cruelly  neglect* 
ed  by  the  country  whose  battles  they  fought. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1780. 

THE  first  military  operations  of  the  enemy,  in  the  year  1760, 
were  directed  against  Charleston,  the  capital  of  South-Carolina. 
In  the  beginning  of  February,  sir  Henry  Clinton  appeared  before 
that  place,  at  the  head  of  a  part  of  his  army.  The  assembly, 
which  was  then  sitting,  delegated  to  governor  Rutledge,  a  patriot 
of  splendid  talents,  and  to  his  council,  "  the  power  to  do  every 
thing  necessary  for  the  public  good,  except  taking  away  the  life  of 


1780.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  185 

a  citizen,"  and  adjourned.  Armed  with  this  extraordinary  power, 
he  made  great  exertions  to  call  into  action  the  strength  of  the 
state,  and  to  place  its  capital  in  a  posture  of  defence. 

2.  The  people  of  the  country  disregarded  his  repeated  calls. 
Not  more  than  two  hundred  repaired  to  Charleston.  The  garrison, 
commanded  by  general  Lincoln,  consisted  of  a  body  of  militia  from 
the  country,  of  the  citizens,  of  one  thousand  North-Carolina  mili 
tia,  and  of  two  thousand  regulars.  The  number  of  the  enemy,  when 
all  their  reinforcements  had  arrived,  amounted  to  nine  thousand. 

3.  On  the  first  of  April,  the  siege  was  begun  in  form,  by  the 
erection  of  works  at  the  distance  of  eleven  hundred  yards  from  the 
city.  On  the  9th,  the  fleet,  propelled  by  a  strong  wind,  passed  the 
forts  on  Sullivan's  Island,  without  stopping  to  return  their  fire,  and 
gained  entire  command  of  the  harbor.     On  the  14th,  lieutenant- 
colonel  Tarleton  surprised  a  body  of  cavalry,  which,  to  preserve 
a  communication  with  the  country,  had  been  stationed  at  Monk's 
corner.     Soon  after,  batteries  were  erected  nearer  the  city,  from 
which  the  fire  was  incessant  and  destructive. 

4.  An  offer  to  capitulate  was  then  made  ;  but  the  British  com 
mander  refused  to  accept  the  terms  proposed.   On  his  part,  terms 
were  offered,  which  were  rejected  by  general  Lincoln.  The  siege 
was  then  pressed  with  increased  vigor,  and  approaches  made  to 
within  musket-shot  of  the  American  lines.     The  soldiers  within 
were  often  killed  at  their  guns  by  the  enemy's  marksmen. 

5.  The  citizens,  whose  intercession  had  induced  general  Lin 
coln  to  determine  to  defend  the  place,  perceiving  that  prepara 
tions  for  an  assault  were  in  forwardness,  and  seeing  no  hope  of 
relief  or  escape,  now  requested  him  to  accept  the  terms  which  sir 
Henry  Clinton  had  proposed.     A  negotiation  between  the  two 
commanders  was,  in  consequence,  opened,  arid,  on  the  12th  of 
May,  the  capitulation  was  signed. 

6.  The  capital  having  surrendered,  measures  were  adopted  to 
overawe  the  inhabitants  of  the  country,  and  induce  them  to  return 
to  their  allegiance  to  the  king.   Garrisons  were  placed  in  different 
parts  of  the  state,  and  2000  men  were  despatched  towards  North- 
Carolina,  to  repel  several  parties  of  militia,  who  were  hastening 
to  the  relief  of  Charleston.     Colonel  Tarleton,  making  a  rapid 
march  of  one  hundred  and  five  miles  in  fifty-four  hours,  met,  at 
the  Waxhaws,  and  attacked  one  of  these  parties,  commanded  by 
colonel  Buford.     His  force  being  superior  was  soon  victorious. 
The  vanquished,  ceasing  to  resist,  implored  for  quarter.     Their 

"cries  were  disregarded.  Upwards  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
were  killed,  or  too  badly  wounded  to  be  removed  from  the  field. 
This  barbarous  massacre  spread  dismay  throughout  the  country, 
and  gave  a  sanguinary  character  to  future  conflicts. 

r    v,-,  oT-nW  h»ino-  *r<>'itp/!  IT  n-..-.v«?oo    the  greater  part  r">-h* 


186  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1780 

inhabitants  either  gave  their  parole  as  prisoners,  or  submitted  to 
become  subjects  of  the  king.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  afterwards,  by 
proclamation,  discharged  the  former  from  their  parole  and  called 
upon  all  to  embody  as  militia  in  the  service  of  Great  Britain.  In 
dignant  at  this  dishonorable  conduct,  which  left  them  only  the  al 
ternative  of  fighting  for  or  against  their  country,  multitudes,  seiz 
ing  their  arms,  resolved  on  a  vindictive  war  with  their  invaders. 

8.  A  party,  who  had  taken  refuge  in  North-Carolina,  chose 
colonel  Sumpter  their  leader.   At  the  head  of  these,  he  returned 
to  his  own  state,  attacked  arid  defeated  several  scattered  detach 
ments  from  the  British  army.     In  one  engagement,  so  decisive 
was  his  victory,  that  nine  only  out  of  nearly  three  hundred  es 
caped.    By  a  succession  of  gallant  enterprises,  he  reanimated  the 
friends  of  freedom,  and  a  spirit  of  determined  hostility  to  Great 
Britain  was  again  manifested  in  every  part  of  the  state. 

9.  This  spirit  was  cherished  by  the  approach,  from  the  north, 
of  4000  men,  principally  continentals,  under  the  command  of  ge 
neral  Gates.    On  their  march  through  a  sterile  country,  they  en 
dured  all  the  evils  and  distresses  of  extreme  famine.  Lord  Corri- 
wallis,  whom  Clinton,  on  his  return  to  New-York,  had  left  com- 
inander-in-chief,  hastened  to  oppose,  in  person,  this  victorious  ge 
neral.     He  placed  himself  at  the  head  of  two  thousand  veteran 
troops  who  had  before  been  stationed  at  CarndeiijOn  the  northern 
border  of  the  state. 

10.  On  the  night  of  the  15th  of  August,  he  marched,  with  his 
whole  force,  to  attack  the  Americans  in  their  camp  at  Clermont. 
They,  at  the  same  hour,  began  to  move  towards  Camden.     The 
advanced  parties  met  in  the  night  and  engaged.     In  several  skir 
mishes  which  took  place,  the  British  obtained  the  advantage. 
This  made  a  deep  impression  on  the  militia,  whose  spirits  were 
depressed  by  gloomy  forebodings. 

11.  When  the  morning  dawned,  the  enemy  advanced  to  the 
attack.     At  the  first  onset,  the  Virginia  militia  fled  from  the 
field,  and  their  example  was  foMowed  by  others.     The  continen 
tals,  though  left  alone  to  contend  with  superior  numbers,  main 
tained  the  conflict  with  great  firmntss.     For  a  short  time,  they 
had  the  advantage  of  their  opponents,  but  were  at  length  over 
powered,  and  the  flight  became  general. 

12.  The  fugitives  were  pursued  by  Tarleton's  legion  with  re 
lentless  fury.     Wrhen  all  were  killed,  captured  or  dispersed,  the 
pursuers,  with  speed  unchecked,  took  the  route  towards  Sump- 
ter's  encampment.     This  active  partizan,  who  had  lately  been 
victorious  in  a  skirmish,  retreated  precipitately,  on  hearing  of 
the  defeat  of  Gates.     At  the  Catawba  ford,  supposing  he  was 
beyond  danger,  he  halted,  that  his  troops,  who  were  fatigued, 

nb'Vit  repose.     His  sentinels  slept  at  their  posts,  and 


1780.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  187 

rode  into  his  camp  before,  preparations  could  be  made  for  de 
fence.  Between  three  and  four  hundred  were  killed  or  wounded. 
The  remainder  were  dispersed  in  the  woods ;  three  hundred 
prisoners  were  released ;  all  the  baggage  and  stores  fell  into  the 
power  of  the  victors. 

13.  Again  supposing  the  state  to  be  subdued,   Cornwallis 
adopted  measures  of  extreme  severity  to  suppress  every  latent 
inclination  to  revolt.     He  directed  that  all  who,  having  once 
submitted,  had  lately  given  aid  to  the  armies  of  congress,  should 
be  deprived  of  their  property  and  imprisoned  ;  and  that  all,  who 
had  once  born  arms  with  the  British,  and  afterwards  joined  the 
Americans,  should  suffer  death.    In  consequence  of  these  orders, 
several  were  executed,  and  many  were  reduced  to  poverty  and 
wretchedness. 

14.  In  these  times  of  confusion  and  distress,  the  mischievous 
effects  of  slavery  in  facilitating  the  conquest  of  the  country,  be 
came  apparent.     As  the  slaves  had  no  interest  at  stake,  the  sub 
jugation  of  the  states  was  a  matter  of  no  consequence  to  them. 
Instead  of  aiding  in  its  defence,  they,  by  a  variety  of  means, 
threw  the  weight  of  their  little  influence  into  the  opposite  scale. 

15.  There  were  yet  some  citizens,  who,  in  all  fortunes,  adhered 
with  firmness  to  the  cause  of  independence.     Of  these,  in  one 
part  of  the  state,  general  Sumpter  was  the  leader,  in  another, 
general  Marion.     The  cavalry  of  the  latter  were  so  destitute  of 
the  weapons  of  war,  that  they  were  obliged  to  cut  their  swords 
from  the  saws  of  the  saw-mills.     He  was  so  successful  in  con 
cealing  himself  in  woods  and  marshes,  that  the  enemy  were 
never  able  to  attack  or  discover  him.     From  these  dark  retreats 
he  often  sallied  forth,  and  fell  unexpectedly  upon  parties  of  the 
enemy,  when  marching  through  the  country,  or  posted  in  gar 
risons  to  overawe  the  inhabitants.     In  one  of  these  sallies,  he 
released  one  hundred  and  fifty  continentals  captured  at  Camden. 
His  repeated  and  successful  excursions  preserved  alive  the  spirit 
of  resistance,  and  his  high  fame  as  a  partizan  was  never  tarnish 
ed  by  any  violation  of  the  laws  of  war  or  humanity. 

16.  Of  those  who  submitted  through  fear,  or  from  attach 
ment  to  the  royal  cause,  major  Ferguson,  a  British  officer  of 
distinguished  merit,  was  appointed  commander.     He  was  des 
patched,  by  Cornwallis,  into  the  western  part  of  North-Carolina, 
where,  other  tories  joining  him,  his  force  was  augmented  to 
1400  men.     An  enterprise  against  this  party  was  concerted  by 
the  commanders  of  the  militia,  in  the  adjacent  parts  of  the  two 
Carolina^  and  Virginia.     About  the  first  of  October,  they,  by 
great  exertions,  assembled  3000  men  at  Gilbert! own.     From 


183  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1780. 

these,   fifteen  hundred  choice   riflemen  were  selected ;  who, 
mounted  on  the  best  horses,  hastened  to  the  attack  of  Ferguson. 

17.  He  awaited  them  on  the  top  of  King's  mountain.     The 
militia,  in  three  divisions,  led  by  colonels  Cleveland,  Shelby,  and 
Campbell,  ascended  it  in  different  directions.     These  divisions, 
successively  arriving,  were  each  repulsed  ;  but  each,  when  the 
enemy  by  an  attack  from  a  different  quarter,  were  recalled  from 
pursuit,  returned  again  to  the  charge.     In  this  manner  the  ac 
tion  was  continued  for  an  hour  with  great  spirit.     Ferguson  wua 
then  killed,  and  with  him  expired  the  courage  of  his  party. 
Eight  hundred  threw  down  their  arms  and  became  prisoners. 
One  hundred  and  fifty  were  killed.     Very  few  of  the  assailants 
fell. 

18.  Cornwallis,  confident  of  his  ability  to  subjugate  the  state, 
had  followed  Ferguson  into  North-Carolina.     Receiving  notice 
of  his  entire  defeat,  he  returned  and  took  post  at  Winnsborough. 
As  he  retired,  Gates,  who  had  assembled  an  army  of  1400  men, 
advanced  to  Charlotte,  where  he  determined  to  pass  the  winter. 
He  was  soon  after  recalled  by  congress,  and,  on  the  recommen 
dation  of  Washington,  general  Greene  was  withdrawn  from  the 
northern  army  to  take  command  of  the  department  of  the  south. 

19.  By  the  northern  army,  which,  as  has  been  stated,  was 
posted  at  West- Point  and  Morristown,  little  more  was  attempted, 
during  the  year,  than  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy,  in  New- 
York,  and  protect  the  inhabitants  from  their  incursions.     The 
troops  unfed,  unpaid,  and  unemployed,  discovered,  at  various 
times,  a  disposition  to  mutiny.     On  these  occasions,  the  British 
commander,  by  means  of  emissaries  sent  among  them,  invited 
them  to  repair  to  the  city,  where  he  promised  them  comfort  and 
abundance.    His  invitations  were  disregarded.    Relief  from  dis 
tress  was  all  they  sought,  and  when  that  was  obtained,  they 
cheerfully  returned  to  their  duty. 

20.  In  July,  a  French  squadron  under  admiral  Ternay,  bring 
ing  6000  troops,  commanded  by  count  Rochambeau,  arrived  at 
Rhode  Island,  which  had  previously  been  evacuated  by  the 
enemy ;  they  were  immediately  blockaded  in  the  harbor  they 
had  entered,  by  a  British  fleet.     Reinforced  by  these  troops, 
Washington  determined  to  attack  New- York  ;  the  army  marched 
to  stations  nearer  the  city,  and  rejoiced  in  the  hope  of  being  able 
to  accomplish  something  for  their  country  ;  -but  the  arrival  from 
England  of  another  fleet,  under  admiral  Rodney,  disconcerted 
the  plan  which  had  been  formed. 

21.  Defeat  at  the  south  arid  disappointment  at  the  north  over 
shadowed  the  land  with  gloom;  but  intelligence  that  treason 


1780.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  189 

had  appeared  in  the  American  camp  occasioned  amazement  and 
alarm.  The  traitor  was  Arnold,  whom  bravery  in  battle,  and 
fortitude  in  suffering,  had  placed  high  in  the  affections  of  the 
people. 

22.  Upon  the  evacuation  of  Philadelphia,  by  the  enemy,  in 
1778,  he  was  appointed  commander  of  that  station.     Here,  in 
dulging  in  all  the  pleasures  of  an  expensive  equipage  and  sump 
tuous  table,  he  contracted  debts  which  he  was  unable  to  dis 
charge.     To  extricate  himself  from  embarrassment,  he  made 
large  claims  against  the  government,  a  portion  of  which  was  re 
jected.     He  was  accused  of  extortion  and  of  misuse  of  the  pub 
lic  money ;  and  for  these  offences  was  tried  by  a  court  martial 
and  sentenced  to  be  reprimanded  by  the  commander-in-chief. 

23.  From  this  moment,  he  determined  to  avenge  his  wound 
ed  pride  and  supply  his  wants,  by  betraying  his  country.     In  a 
letter  to  a  British  officer,  he  signified  his  change  of  principle, 
and  his  wish  to  restore  himself  to  the  favor  of  his  prince,  by 
some  signal  proof  of  his  repentance.     And  about  this  time,  for  a 
purpose  which  afterwards  too  plainly  appeared,  he  solicited  and 
obtained  the  command  of  West-Point,  the  most  important  post 
in  the  possession  of  the  American  armies. 

24.  He  immediately  opened  a  correspondence  with  sir  Henry 
Clinton,  and  proposed  to  deliver  into  his  power  the  post  that  he 
commanded.     To  agree  upon  the  mode  of  surrender,  major 
Andre,  a  young  man  of  splendid  talents  and  adjutant-general  of 
the  British  army,  ascended  the  river  from  New-York,  and,  in 
the  night,  at  a  place  near  the  American  lines,  had  an  interview 
with  Arnold.     Before  he  was  prepared  to  return,  the  sloop  of 
war  which  brought  him  was  compelled  to  move  down  the  river. 

25.  In  this  emergency,  Andre,  disguised  as  a  traveller,  assum 
ing  the  name  of  Anderson  and  furnished  by  Arnold  with  a  pass, 
set  out  to  return  by  land  to  New- York.     He  passed  all  the 
guards  and  posts  without  awakening  suspicion  ;  but  was  stop 
ped,  when  near  the  end  of  his  journey,  by  three  of  the  New- 
York  militia,  whose  names  were  Paulding,  Williams,  and  Van- 
wart.     Supposing  them  to  be  soldiers  of  his  own  army,  instead 
of  producing  his  pass,  he  declared  himself  a  British  officer  and 
desired  he  might  not  be  detained. 

26.  On  discovering  his  mistake,  he  offered  them  a  purse  of 
gold  and  a  valuable  watch,  and  promised  more  ample  rewards 
from  his  government,  if  they  would  permit  him  to  escape.     Re 
jecting,  with  patriotism  worthy  of  all  praise,  these  tempting  of 
fers,  they  conducted  him  to  colonel  Jameson,  who  was  station 
ed  near  the  American  lines.     In  his  boots   were  found  a  par 
ticular  statement  of  the  strength  of  the  garrison,  and  a  descrip- 


190  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1780. 

tion  of  the  works  at  West-Point.  Anxious  for  the  safety  of 
Arnold,  he  desired  the  colonel  to  inform  him  that  Anderson  wag 
taken.  An  express  was  unwarily  dispatched  with  the  intelli 
gence.  Arnold,  comprehending  his  danger,  made  a  precipitate 
llight  to  New- York. 

27.  Andre,  disdaining  longer  concealment,  then  avowed  him 
self  to  be  the  adjutant-general  of  the  British  army.     Suspicion 
being  now  excited,  colonel  Jameson  transmitted  to  the  comman 
der-in-chief,  who  was  not  far  distant,  information  of  all  tha 
events  which  had  occurred.     Washington,  hastening  to  West 
Point  made  arrangements  for  repelling  any  attack  that  might  b* 
made.     Measures  of  precaution  being  taken,  the  fate  of  the  pri 
soner  was  next  to  be  decided. 

28.  His  case  was  referred  to  a  board  of  officers.     Appearing 
before  them,  he  confessed,  with  ingenuous  frankness,  every  cir 
cumstance  relating  to  himself,  but  would  disclose  nothing  which 
might  involve  others  in  his  misfortune.     He  displayed,  in  all  his 
conduct  while  a  prisoner,  great  nobleness  of  mind  ;  but  tha 
board,  constrained  by  duty,  reported  that  he  must  be  considered 
as  a  spy,  and  agreeably  to  the  law  of  nations,  ought  to  suffer 
death. 

29.  Sir  Henry  Clinton,  by  whom  he  was  highly  esteemed, 
made  every  exertion  in  his  power  to  avert  his  fate.     He  entreat 
ed,   remonstrated   and  threatened.     To    have  yielded,  would 
have  betrayed  timidity  and  weakness,  and  encouraged  future 
treason.     Andre  suffered  an  ignominious  death,  with  a  degree 
of  composure  and  fortitude  which  proved  how  great  and  illus 
trious  he  might  have  been,  had  he  not  stooped,  in  an  evil  hour, 
to  the  commission  of  an  ignominious  action. 

30.  Arnold  received,  as  the  reward  of  his  treachery,  the  sum 
of  10,000  pounds,   and  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  in  the 
British  army.     But  he  was  detested  by  his  new  associates,  and 
his  name  will  be  for  ever  synonymous  with  infamy  and  baseness. 
In  contrast  with  his,  how  bright  shines  the  fame  of  the  three 
captors  of  Andre.     They  were  not  then,  nor  can  they  ever  be, 
forgotten  by  a  country  which  owes  so  much  to  their  fidelity. 
Each  received  the  thanks  of  congress,  a  silver  medal,  and  a  pen 
sion  for  life,  which  has  been  doubled  at  a  subsequent  season  of 
greater  national  prosperity. 

31.  At  the  close  of  the  year  1780,  the  troops  of  the  northern 
army  retired  to  the  winter  quarters  which  they  had  last  occupied. 
Again  they  endured  distress  at  which  patriotism  feels  indignant 
and  humanity  weeps.     The  harvest  had  been  abundant.     Plen 
ty  reigned  in  the  land,  but  want  in  the  camp  of  its  defenders. 
Selfishness  had  succeeded  patriotism,  lassitude  enthusiasm,  in  the 


1780.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  191 

breasts  of  the  people,  and  congress  exerted  its  powers  with  too 
little  vigor  to  draw  forth  the  resources  of  the  country. 

32.  The  soldiers  of  the  Pennsylvania  line  were  stationed  at 
Morristown,  in  New-Jersey.     They  complained  that,  in  addi 
tion  to  sustaining  sufferings  common  to  all,  they  were  retained 
in  service  contrary  to  the  terms  of  their  enlistments.     In  the 
night  of  the  first  of  January,  thirteen  hundred,  on  a  concerted 
signal,  paraded  under  arms,  and  declared  their  intention  of 
marching  to  Philadelphia,  and  demanding  of  congress  a  redress 
of  their  grievances. 

33.  The  officers  strove  to  compel  them  to  relinquish  their 
purpose.     In  the  attempt,  one  was  killed  and  several  were 
wounded.     General  Wayne  presented  his  pistols  as  if  intending 
to  fire.     They  held  their  bayonets  to  his  breast ;  "  We  love  and 
respect  you,"  said  they,  "  but  if  you  tire  you  are  a  dead  man. 
We  are  not  going  to  the  enemy.     On  the  contrary,  if  they  were 
now  to  come  out,  you  should  see  us  fight  under  your  orders  with 
as  much  alacrity  as  ever.     But  we  will  be  amused  no  longer ; 
we  are  determined  to  obtain  what  is  our  just  due." 

34.  They  elected  temporary  officers,  and  moved  off  in  a  body 
towards  Princeton.     General  Wayne,  to  prevent  them  from 
plundering  the  inhabitants,  forwarded  provisions  for  their  use. 
The  next  day  he  followed,  and  requested  them  to  appoint  a  man 
from  each  regiment,  to  state  to  him  their  complaints.     The  men 
were  appointed,  a  conference  held,  but  he  refused  to  comply 
with  their  demands. 

35.  They  proceeded  in  good  order  to  Princeton.      Three 
emissaries  from  sir  Henry  Clinton  meeting  them  here,  made 
them  liberal  offers  to  entice  them  from  the  service  of  congress 
The  offers  were  instantly  rejected,  and  the  emissaries  seized  and 
confined  in  strict  custody.     Here  they  were  also  met  by  a  com 
mittee  of  congress,  and  a  deputation  from  the  state  of  Pennsylva 
nia.     The  latter,  granting  a  part  of  their  demands,  persuaded 
them  to  return  to  their  duty.     The  agents  of  Clinton  were  then 
given  up,  and  immediately  executed  as  spies. 

k  36.  This  mutiny,  and  another  in  the  Jersey  line,  which  was 
instantly  suppressed,  aroused  the  attention  of  the  states  to  the 
miserable  condition  of  their  troops.  The  amount  of  three 
months  pay  was  raised  and  forwarded  to  them  in  specie.  They 
received  it  with  joy,  as  it  afforded  evidence  that  their  country 
was, not  unmindful  of  their  sufferings. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

• 

CAMPAIGN  OF  1781,  AND  TERMINA 
TION  OF  THE  WAR. 


IN  the  spring  of  1781,  the  project  of  besieging  New- York 
was  again  resumed.  Requisitions  for  men  and  stores  were  made 
upon  the  northern  states,  and,  in  June,  the  French  and  Ameri 
can  troops,  marching  from  their  respective  positions,  encamped 
together  on  ground  contiguous  to  the  city.  But  reinforcements 
and  supplies  arrived  slowly,  and  the  want  of  them  compelled  the 
troops  in  the  field  to  remain  inactive. 

2.  In  the  southern  department,  far  different  was  the  fortune 
of  the  opposing  armies.     That  of  which  general  Greene  took 
the  command,  consisted  of  but  2000  men.     Nearly  one  half  of 
these  he  despatched,  under  general  Morgan,  into  the  western 
section  of  South-Carolina,  where  a  British  party,  aided  by  the 
tories,  were  plundering  and  murdering  the  whigs  without  mercy 
and  without  restraint. 

3.  Against  the  American  detachment,  Cornwallis  despatched 
Tarleton,  with  a  force  considerably  superior,  and  a  large  pro 
portion  of  it  cavalry.     Morgan  began  to  retreat,  but  disdaining 
to  fly  from  an  enemy,  and  uncertain  whether  he  could  escape  an 
officer  so  distinguished  as  his  pursuer  for  the  celerity  of  his 
movements,  he,  on  the  17th  of  January,  halted  at  the  Cowpens, 
and  determined  to  hazard  a  battle,  before  his  troops  became  dis 
pirited  and  fatigued. 

4.  Soon  after  he  had  placed  his  men,  the  British  van  appear 
ed  in  sight.     Confident  of  an  easy  victory,  Tarleton  rushed  to 
the  charge  with  his  usual  impetuosity.     The  militia  posted  in 
front  yielded,  as  directed  by  Morgan,  to  the  shock ;  and  the  in 
fantry  composing  the  second  line,  retreated  a  few  yards.     In  the 
ardor  of  pursuit,  the  enemy  were  thrown  into  disorder :  the  in 
fantry,  facing  about,  poured  upon  them  a  fire  as  deadly  as  it  was 
unexpected.     Their  disorder  was  increased,  and  a  charge  with 
the  bayonet  completed  their  overthrow.     One  hundred  of  the 
enemy  were  killed,  and  five  hundred  made  prisoners. 

5.  Seldom  has  a  victory,  atchieved  by  so  small  a  number, 
been  so  important  in  its  consequences.     It  deprived  Cornwallis 
of  one  fifth  of  his  force,  and  disconcerted  his  plans  for  the  redac 
tion  of  North-Carolina,     He  sought,  however,  to  repair,  by 


1781.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  193 

active  exertions,  the  loss  which  he  had  suffered.  Having  learnt 
that  Morgan,  the  instant  after  his  victory,  had  marched  with  his 
prisoners  towards  Virginia,  he  determined,  if  possible,  to  inter 
cept  him,  and  compel  him  to  restore  his  trophies. 

6.  Now  commenced  a  military  race  which  has  hardly  it3 
parallel  in  history.     Each  army  strove  to  arrive  first  at  the  fords 
of  the  Catawha,  from  which  both  were  equally  distant.     The 
American  troops  endured  almost  incredible  hardships.     They 
were  sometimes  without  meat,  often  without  flour,  and  always 
without  spiritous  liquors.     Many,  marching  over  frozen  ground 
xvithout  shoes,  marked  with  blood  every  step  of  their  progress. 

7.  On  the  twelfth  day  after  the  battle,  Morgan  reached  the 
fords  and  crossed  the  Catawba.     Two  hours  afterwards,  Corn- 
wallis  arrived,  and,  it  being  then  dark,  encamped  on  the  bank. 
In  the  night,  a  heavy  fall  of  rain  made  the  river  impassable. 
This  gave  Morgan  an  opportunity  to  remove  the  prisoners  beyond 
the  reach  of  his  pursuer.     An  \  here  he  was  joined  by  general 
Greene,  who,  leaving  the  main  body  of  his  army,  with  orders  to 
march  towards  Virginia,  had  ridden,  with  but  two  or  three  at 
tendants,  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  for  that  purpose. 

8.  At  the  end  of  three  days,  Cornwallis  found  means  to  pass 
the  river.     The  retreat  and  pursuit  again  commenced.     On  the 
second  night,  the  Americans  reached  a  ford  on  the  Yadkin.    Be 
fore  all  had  crossed,  the  British  appeared,  and  a  part  of  the  bag 
gage  w*as  left  in  their  power.     Again  the  two  armies  lay  en 
camped  on  the  opposite  banks,  and  before  morning,  this  river 
also  was  made  impassable  by  the  rain.    This  second  preservation 
from  imminent  danger,  persuaded  the  Americans  that  their  cause 
was  favored  of  heaven. 

9.  The  next  day,  Greene  proceeded  to  Guilford  court-house, 
where  he  was  joined  by  the  other  division  of  his  army.     Corn 
wallis,  marching  up  the  Yadkin,  crossed  at  the  shallow  fords 
near  its  source.     Both  armies  now  started  for  the  river  Dan,  on 
the  borders  of  Virginia,  and  distant  more  than  one  hundred 
miles.     The  knowledge  that  there  the  course  must  terminate, 
gave  fresh  vigor  to  the  troops,  and  a  new  impulse  to  their  speed. 
On  the  fifth  day,  the  American  army,  having,  in  the  last  twenty- 
four  hours,  marched  forty  miles,  crossed  the  river  in  boats 
which  had  been  collected  for  the  purpose,  and  scarcely  were 
they  over,  when  the  British  appeared  on  the  opposite  shore. 

10.  Chagrined  that  his  adversary  had  thus  eluded  his  grasp, 
Cornwallis  wheeled  about  and  marched  sullenly  to  Hillsborough. 
Here  many  loyalists  resorted  to  his  standard.      Six  hundred 
Virginia  militia  having,  in  the  mean  time,  joined  the  American 
army,  Greene  determined  to  recross  the  Dan,  and,  by  his  pre- 

R 


194  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1781 

sence  in  North-Carolina,  support  the  courage  of  those  who  had 
embraced  the  cause  of  independence. 

11.  Cornwallis  having  detached  Tarleton,  with  his  legion,  to 
the  country  on  the  branches  of  the  Haw  river,  in  order  to  coun 
tenance  the  rising  of  the  loyalists  in  that  neighborhood,  a  body 
of  cavalry,  under  lieutenant-colonel  Lee,  and  of  militia  under 
general  Pickens,  were  directed  to  march  thither  and  attack  him. 
Lee,  who  led  the  van,  overtook,  in  a  long  lane,  a  band  of  tories, 
on  their  way  to  the  enemy.     Mistaking  him  for  Tarleton,  they 
expressed  a  lively  joy  at  the  meeting,  and  declared  their  zealous 
attachment  to  the  royal  cause. 

12.  Hoping  to  surprise  Tarleton,  who  was  but  a  mile  in  ad 
vance,  Lee  forbore  to  correct  their  error  ;  but  while  he  was  en 
deavoring  to  pass  them,  the  militia  came  up  and  engaged  their 
rear.     Relinquishing  his  first  project,  he  ordered  his  cavalry  to 
fall  upon  the  tories,  who  were  slaughtered  without  mercy,  while 
protesting  they  were  "the  very  jest  friends  of  the  king."     Be 
tween  two  and  three  hundred  v  ere  killed.     Tarleton,  alarmed 
by  the  firing,  retreated  instantly  to  Hillsborough.     On  his  way, 
he  cut  down  a  small  party  of  royalists,  mistaking  them  for  whig 
militia. 

13.  Leaving  Hillsborougli,  Cornwallis  next  encamped  near 
Guilford    court-house.      Greene,    having    been    still    further 
strengthened  by  several  bodies  of  militia,  pursued  and  offered 
him  battle.     On  the  15th  of  March,  an  engagement  was  fought. 
At  the  first  fire,  the  North-Carolina  militia,  who  were  in  the 
front  line,  fled.     The  second  line  was  also  routed.     The  conti 
nentals,  who  composed  the  third,  fought  with  their  usual  bravery, 
and  for  an  hour  and  a  half  maintained  the  conflict  with  great 
firmness.    They  at  length  gave  way,  br'  retreated  in  good  order, 
the  slaughter  they  had  made  in  the  enemy's  ranks  preventing 
pursuit.     Both  sides  sustained  nearly  an  equal  loss. 

14.  This  victory,  won  by  a  far  inferior  force,  was  more  glo 
rious  than  advantageous  to  the  British  army.     Greene,  expecting 
and  desiring  to  be  attacked  at  his  place  of  retreat,  made  prepa 
rations  for  a  second  engagement.     Cornwallis,  far  from  courting 
a  battle,  deemed  it  prudent  to  retire  to  Wilmington,  near  the  sea. 
He  was  pursued  for  a  few  clays,  but  so  excessive  had  been  the 
sufferings  of  the  Americans,  from  hunger  and  fatigue,  that  many 
fainted  on  the  march,  and  at  Ramsay's  mills  the  army  halted  to 
seek  refreshment  and  repose. 

15.  After  remaining  three  weeks  at  Wilmington,  Cornwallis 
proceeded  to  Petersburgh,  in  Virginia.     From  Ramsay's  mills, 
Greene  marched  towards  Camden,  where  were  posted  nine 
nitndred  men,  under  the  command  of  lord  Rawdon.     He  took  a 


1781.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  195 

position  on  Hobkirk's  hill,  about  a  mile  from  the  British  en 
trenchments.  At  this  position,  the  Americans  were  attacked  on 
the  25th  of  April.  In  the  beginning  of  the  action,  their  bravery 
gained  advantages  which,  in  its  progress,  were  lost  by  the  pre 
mature  retreat  of  two  companies,  accasioned  by  the  death  of  all 
their  officers.  At  this  reverse  of  fortune,  Greene  retired  a  few 
miles  from  the  field,  both  armies  having  sustained  nearly  an 
equal  loss. 

16.  In  April  and  May,  several  British  posts  in  South-Caroli 
na,  fell  into  the  power  of  the  brave  and  active  partizans,  who, 
with  small  bodies  of  troops,  were  ever  present,  where  oppression 
was  to  be  resisted,  or  glory  won.    Marion  and  Lee  invested  and 
took  fort  Watson.     Orangeburg  and  fort  Motte  surrendered  to 
Sumpter.     Lee  captured  fort  Granby,  and  Marion  drove  from 
Georgetown  the  troops  stationed  to  defend  it.  None  of  these  posts 
had  numerous  garrisons,  the  prisoners  being  less,  in  the  whole, 
than  eight  hundred  ;  but  the  advantages  they  had  secured  to  the 
enemy  rendered  their  capture  important  to  the  American  cause. 

17.  About  the  last  of  May,  lord  Rawdon  retired  to  Monk's 
corner,  near  Charleston,  leaving  garrisons  only  at  Ninety-Six 
and  Augusta.     The  latter  post  was  besieged  by  Lee,  and  soon 
capitulated.     Ninety-Six,  which  was  much  stronger,  was  invest 
ed  by  the  main  army.     The  siege  had  continued  three  weeks, 
and  eventual  success  appeared  certain,  when  intelligence  arrived 
that  lord  Rawdon,  having  received  a  reinforcement  from  Ireland, 
was  approaching,  with  two  thousand  men,  to  the  relief  of  the 
place.     All  hope  was  now  lost  of  reducing  it  by  the  slow  opera 
tions  of  a  siege.     On  the  ISth  of  June,  the  Americans,  with 
great  gallantry,  made  an  assault  upon  the  works.     They  were 
received  with  no  less  gallantry  by  the  garrison,  and  repulsed. 
Greene  then  retired  towards  North-Carolina,  and  three  days 
afterwards  lord  Rawdon  arrived  at  Ninety-Six. 

18.  During  this  year,  the  inhabitants  of  the  Carolinas  endured 
calamity  and  distress,  from  which  humanity  revolts  .with  horror. 
The  country  was  ravaged  and  plundered  by  both  armies.     The 
people,  in  sentiment,  were  about  equally  divided.      Village  was 
hostile  to  village,  and  neighbor  to  neighbor ;  and  their  hostility 
had  been  embittered  by  accusation  and  retort,  by  attack  and  re 
prisal,  until  pillage,  burning,  and  murder,  became  familiar  to  all. 
Whenever  a  republican  or  royalist  fell  into  the  power  of  an  ad 
versary,  he  was  instantly  sacrificed  in  revenge  of  a  friend,  or  to 
gratify  political  hatred.     It  is  asserted  that,  in  this  manner,  thou 
sands  were  put  to  death.     Each  party  aimed  at  the  extirpation 
of  the  other,  and  the  whole  country  presented  an  unvaried  scene 
of  blood  and  slaughter.     But  censure  ought  not  to  rest  equally 


196  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1781. 

upon  the  two  parties.  In  the  commencement  of  the  contest,  the 
British,  to  terrify  the  people  into  suhmission,  set  an  example 
which  the  tories  were  quick,  but  the  whigs  slow,  to  follow ;  and 
in  its  progress  the  American  generals,  and  they  alone,  seized 
every  occasion  to  discountenance  such  vindictive  and  barbarous* 
conduct. 

19.  Lord  Rawdon  having  returned  to  England,  the  command 
of  the  British  troops,  in  South-Carolina,  devolved  upon  lieute 
nant-colonel  Stewart.     In  the  beginning  of  September,  he  took 
post  at  Eutaw.     Greene  marched  against  him  from  the  high 
hills  of  Santee.     Their  forces  were  equal,  amounting  on  each 
side  to  two  thousand  men.     On  the  8th,  a  battle  was  fought, 
more  bloody  perhaps  than  any  which  had  occurred  during  the 
war.     The  attack  was  made  by  the  Americans ;  the  British,  re 
solute  and  brave,  made  an  obstinate  resistance,  but  were  at  length 
driven  in  disorder  from  the  field. 

20.  A  small  number,  on  their  retreat,  took  possession  of  a 
large  brick  house,  and  others  of  an  adjoining  picketed  garden 
From  these  strong  positions,  a  deadly  fire  was  poured  upon  the 
Americans,  who  persisted,  for  a  long  time,  in  a  rash  attempt  to 
take  them  by  storm.     This  check  enabled  the  British  comman. 
der  to  rally  his  broken  battalions,  and  bring  them  again  into  ac 
tion.      Greene,  despairing  of  further  success,  withdrew  hia 
troops,  carrying  with  him  his  wounded  and  prisoners. 

21.  The  loss  on  both  sides  was  uncommonly  great,  in  propor 
tion  to  the  numbers  engaged.     On  the  American  side,  the  num 
ber  of  killed  and  wounded  amounted  to  five  hundred  and  fifty ; 
on  that  of  the  British,  as  stated  by  themselves,  to  almost  sevea 
hundred.     This  sanguinary  battle  was  followed  by  the  retreat  of 
the  British  army  towards  Charleston.    The  Americans  pursued, 
und  by  establishing  a  chain  of  posts  at  a  short  distance  from  that 
city,  protected  the  state  from  their  incursions. 

22.  Cornwallis,  who  left  North-Carolina  in  April,  arrived  at 
Petersburg!},  in  Virginia,  on  the  20th  of  May.    He  there  formed 
a  junction  with  a  British  detachment,  which,  commanded  at  first 
by  Arnold  and  afterwards  by  Phillips,  had  previously  gained  pos 
session  of  Richmond  and  Portsmouth.     With  the  force  now  at 
his  command,  he  flattered  himself  that  he  should  be  able  to  add 
this  state  also  to  the  list  of  his  conquests. 

23.  The  American  troops,  stationed  in  Virginia  for  its  defence, 
were  indeed  entirely  insufficient  to  oppose  any  effectual  resist 
ance.     Under  their  gallant  leader,  the  Marquis  de  la  Fayette, 
they  accomplished  even  more  than  was  expected  ;  but  were  un 
able  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  marching  through  the  country, 
and  destroying  much  public  and  private  property. 


3731. j  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  197 

24.  From  these  excursions, Cornwallis  was  recalled  to  the  sea- 
coast  by  his  commander-in-chief,  who,  having-  intercepted  a  let 
ter  from  Washington  to  Congress,  became  acquainted  with  the 
danger  which  threatened  New- York.     He  was  directed  to  take 
a  position  near  the  ocean,  where  his  army  and  the  fleet  might 
afford  mutual  protection,  until  the  event  of  the  operations  at  the 
north  should  be  known.     He  selected  Yorktown  and  Glouces 
ter  point,  situated  on  opposite  sides  of  York  river,  which  emp 
ties  into   Chesapeake  bay.     He   had  an  army  of  more  than 
10,000  men,  and  applied  all  his  means,  with  unwearied  industry 
and  zeal,  to  fortify  these  commanding  positions. 

25.  In  the  mean  time,  but  little  progress  had  been  made  in 
the  preparations  to  besiege  New- York.     Of  the  6,000  men, 
whom  the  northern  states  were  required  to  furnish  for  that  pur 
pose,  a  few  hundred  only,  at  the  beginning  of  August,  had  join 
ed  the  army.     On  the  other  hand,  the  enemy  in  the  city  had 
been  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  3000  Germans.     In  this 
posture  of  affairs,  the  idea  of  an  expedition  against  Cornwallis 
occurred  to  the  commander-in-chief.     While  deliberating  on 
the  enterprise,  he  received  information  that  a  French  fleet,  un 
der  the  count  de  Grasse,  with  3000   troops  on  board,  was  on 
the  way  to  America,  and  destined  to  the  Chesapeake. 

26.  He  hesitated  no  longer,  but  determined  to  conduct  the 
expedition  in  person.     The  show  of  an  intention  to  attack  New- 
York,  was  nevertheless  preserved.     After  the  troops  left  their 
respective  positions,  and  crossed  the  Hudson,  their  march  was 
so  directed   as  to  lead  Sir  Henry  Clinton  to  believe  that  it  was 
the  object  of  Washington  to  gain  possession  of  Staten  Island,  in 
order  to  facilitate  his  designs  against  the  city.     The  despatches 
he  had  intercepted  assisted  to  deceive  him,  and  not  until  the  ar 
my  had  crossed  the  Delaware,  and  was  thus  beyond  the  reach 
of  pursuit,  did  he  suspect  the  real  object  of  his  adversary. 

27.  He  then  determined  to  profit  by  his  absence,  or  recall 
him,   by  some  daring  enterprise  at  the  north.     Giving  to  the 
traitor  Arnold,  who  had  just  returned  from  Virginia,  the  com 
mand  of  a  strong  detachment,  he  sent  him  against  New-London 
a  flourishing  city  situated  upon  the  river  Thames,  in  his  native 
state.     Nearly  opposite,  on  a  hill  in  Groton,  stood   fort  Gris- 
wold,  which  was  then  garrisoned  by  militia,  hastily  summoned 
from  their  labors  in  the  field. 

28.  Against  this  fort  Arnold  despatched  a  part  of  his  troops. 
It  was  assaulted  on  tiiree  sides  at  the  same  moment.     The  gar 
rison,  fighting-  in  view  of  their  property  and  their  homes,  made 
a  brave  and  obstinate  resistance.     By  their  steady  and  well- 
directed  fire,  many  of  the  assailants  were  killed.     Pressing  for- 

R2 


198  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1781. 

ward  with  persevering  ardor,  the  enemy  entered  the  fort  through 
the  embrazures.  Immediately  all  resistance  ceased.  Irritated  by 
gallantry  which  should  have  caused  admiration,  a  British  officer 
inquired  who  commanded  the  fort.  "  I  did,"  said  colonel 
Ledyard,  "  but  you  do  now,"  and  presented  him  his  sword. 
He  seized  it,  and  with  savage  cruelty  plunged  it  into  his  bosom. 
This  was  the  signal  for  an  indiscriminate  massacre.  Of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  men,  composing  the  garrison,  all  but  forty 
were  killed  or  wounded,  and  most  of  them  after  resistance  had 
ceased.  Seldom  has  the  glory  of  victory  been  tarnished  by  such 
detestable  barbarity.  The  enemy  then  entered  New-London, 
which  was  set  on  fire  and  consumed.  The  property  destroyed 
was  of  immense  value.  Perceiving  no  other  object  within  the 
reach  of  his  force,  Arnold  led  back  his  troops  to  New-York. 

29.  The  march  of  Washington  was  riot  arrested  by  this  bar 
barous  inroad.     He  pressed  forward  with  the  utmost  speed,  the 
great  object  in  view  imparting  vigor  to  his  troops.     At  Chester, 
he   received  the  cheering  intelligence,  that  admiral  de  Grasse 
had  entered  the  Chesapeake  with  a  force  sufficiently  strong  to 
prevent  the  escape  of  the  enemy  by  water.     On  the  25th  of 
September,  the  last  division  of  the  allied  forces  arrived  at  the 
place  appointed   for  their  meeting.     The  whole  consisted   of 
16,000  men,  and  was  furnished  with  a  large  and  powerful  train 
of  battering  artillery. 

30.  A  body  of  troops  under  general  de  Choise  was  stationed 
to  watch  the  small  garrison  at  Gloucester  Point,  on  the  north 
bank  of  the  river  ;  and  on  the  28th  the  several  divisions,  des 
tined  to  besiege  the  main  garrison  at  Yorktown,  reached  the 
positions  assigned  them.     On  the  night  of  the  sixth  of  October, 
advancing  to  within  600  yards  of  the  enemy's  lines,  they  begun 
their  first  parallel,  and  labored  with  such  silence  and  diligence, 
that  they  were  not  discovered  until  morning,  when  the  works 
they  had  raised  were  sufficient  to  protect  them. 

31 .  On  the  9th,  several  batteries.being  completed,  a  heavy  can 
nonade  was  begun.     Many  of  the  enemy's  guns  were  dismount 
ed,  and  portions  of  their  fortifications  laid  level  with  the  ground. 
On  the  night  of  the  llth,  the  besiegers  commenced  their  second 
parallel,  three  hundred  yu.rds  in  advance  of  the  first.     This  ap 
proach  was  made  so  much  sooner  than  was  expected,  that  the 
men  were  not  discovered  at  their  labor,  until  they  had  rendered 
themselves  secure  from  all  molestation  in  front.    The  fire  from 
the  new  batteries  was  still  more  furious  and  destructive. 

32.  From  two  British  redoubts,  in  advance  of  their  main 
works,  and  flanking  those  of  the  besiegers,  the  men  in  the  trench- 
p<s  were  so  severely  annoyed  that  Washington  resolved  to  ,st,orm 


1781.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  199 

them.  The  enterprise  against  one  was  committed  to  an  Ameri 
can,  that  against  the  other  to  a  French  detachment.  Colonel 
Hamilton,  who  led  the  van  of  the  former,  made  such  an  impe 
tuous  attack,  that  possession  was  soon  obtained,  with  little  slaugh 
ter.  Retaliation  for  the  carnage  at  fort  Griswold  might  have 
been  justified.  But  "the  soldiers,"  said  colonel  Hamilton,  "in 
capable  of  imitating  examples  of  barbarity,  and  forgetting  recent 
provocation,  spared  every  man  that  ceased  to  resist."  The 
French  detachment  was  equally  brave  and  successful,  but,  op 
posed  by  a  stronger  force,  sustained  a  more  considerable  loss. 

33.  Cornwallis,  perceiving  no  hope  of  safety  but  in  flight,  at 
tempted,  on  the  evening  of  the  16th,  to  cross  over  to  Gloucester, 
intending  to  force  his  way  through  the  troops  under  de  Choise, 
and  proceed  by  rapid  marches  to  New-York.     Before  reaching 
the  opposite  shore,  with  the  first  division  of  his  army,  a  storm 
dispersed  his  boats  and  compelled  him  to  abandon  the  project. 

34.  On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  additional  batteries  were 
completed  by  the  besiegers.    The  cannonade  became  too  power 
ful  to  be  resisted.     The  enemy's  works  were  sinking  rapidly 
under  it,  and  nearly  all  their  guns  were  silenced.     Before  noon, 
Cornwallis  beat  a  parley,  and  proposed  that  commissioners  should 
be  appointed  to  settle  terms  of  surrender.     They  were  accord 
ingly  appointed,  and  on  the  19th  of  October,  the  terms  which 
they  had  agreed  upon  were  ratified  by  the  respective  comman 
ders. 

35.  The  naval  force  in  the  harbor  was  surrendered  to  de 
Grasse,  the  garrison  to  the  American  general.    To  the  garrison, 
the  same  terms  were  granted  as  had  been  conceded  to  the  troops 
who  capitulated  at  Charleston ;  and  general  Lincoln,  who  was 
present,  was  designated  by  Washington  to  receive  the  sword  of 
Cornwallis.    The  number  of  prisoners  exceeded  seven  thousand, 
of  whom  nearly  three  thousand  were  not  fit  for  duty. 

36.  On  no  occasion  during  the  war,  did  the  American  people 
manifest  greater  exultation  and  joy.     To  the  Giver  of  all  good, 
they  united  in  rendering,  with  grateful  hearts,  thanksgiving  and 
praise  for  the  decisive  victory  which  he  had  enabled  them  to  gain. 
From  the  nature  and  duration  of  the  contest,  the  affections  of 
many  had  been  so  concentrated  upon  their  country,  and  so  in 
tense  was  their  interest  in  its  fate,  that  the  news  of  this  brilliant 
success  produced  the  most  rapturous  emotions,  under  the  opera 
tion  of  which  some  were  deprived  of  their  reason,  and  one  aged 
patriot  in  Philadelphia  expired. 

37.  The  loss  of  a  second  entire  army  extinguished  every  hope, 
which  the  people  of  Great  Britain  had  entertained,  of  the  subju- 


200  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR  [1782. 

gation  of  their  colonies.  Their  burdens,  which,  although  heavy, 
they  had  borne  with  patience,  while  animated  by  the  prospect  of 
success,  now  pressed  with  intolerable  weight.  They  demanded, 
with  an  almost  unanimous  voice,  that  an  end  should  speedily  be 
put  to  a  hopeless«and  ruinous  war.  But  the  speech  of  the  king 
to  parliament,  at  the  opening  of  the  winter  session,  discovered, 
that  his  feelings  and  determination  remained  unchanged.  Bear 
ing  no  portion  of  the  burdens  of  war,  he  felt,  with  undiminished 
force,  his  reluctance  to  part  with  the  authority  which  he  had 
once  exercised  over  three  millions  of  subjects. 

38.  But  the  house  of  commons,  speaking  the  sentiments  of  the 
people,  expressed,  in  energetic  language,  their  disapprobation  of 
all  further  attempts  to  reduce  the  colonies  to  obedience  by  force. 
Lord  North,  contrary  to  the  wishes  of  his  sovereign,  then  re 
signed  the   office  of  prime    minister.     Another  cabinet  was 
formed,  who  advised  the  king  to  concede  independence  to  the 
colonies.     Early  in  the  spring  of  1782,  pacific  overtures  were 
accordingly  made  to  the  American  government,  and  both  nations 
desisted  from  hostile  measures. 

39.  Congress  had  previously  appointed  John  Adams,  of  Mas 
sachusetts,  a  commissioner  to  treat  with  Great  Britain,  when 
ever  her  government  should  express  a  desire  for  peace.     He 
was  one  of  the  earliest  opposers  of  parliamentary  encroachment. 
Actuated  by  hatred  of  tyranny  as  well  as  love  of  country,  he  had, 
before  resistance  was  contemplated  by  others,  devoted  all  the 
energies  of  his  powerful  mind  to  the  work  of  enlightening  the 
people,  and  preparing  them  for  the  contest  which  he  foresaw 
was  approaching.     In  the  continental  congress  he  was  conspi 
cuous  for  his  talents  and  zeal.     Appointed  minister  to  Holland, 
he  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  loan  at  Amsterdam,  when  the  re 
sources  of  his  country  were  almost  exhausted,  and  in  concluding 
with  that  republic  a  treaty  of  amity  and  commerce. 

40.  As  colleagues  with  him,  congress  now  appointed  Benja 
min  Franklin,  John  Jay,  and  Henry  Laurens.     The  first  was 
minister  to  France.     He  was  beloved  by  his  country  for  the 
services  he  had  rendered  her;  and  illustrious  throughout  the 
world  for  his  inventive  genius  and  practical  philosophy.     John 
Jay  was  a  native  of  New- York ;  was  distinguished  for  the  purity 
of  his  moral  character,  and  his  attachment  to  the  rights  of  man 
kind.     He  had  long  been  a  member  of  congress,  and  was  then 
the  representative  of  the  United  States  at  the  Spanish  court. 
Henry  Laurens  was  a  citizen  of  South  Carolina,  had  been  pre 
sident  of  congress,  had  been  appointed  minister  to  Holland,  but 
when  crossing  the  ocean,  was  captured  by  a  British  cruiser  and 


1783.]  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  201 

confined,  on  a  charge  of  treason,  to  the  tower  of  London.  In 
the  endurance  of  sufferings  in  his  country's  cause,  he  displayed 
a  character  formed  after  the  models  of  antiquity. 

41.  To  negotiate  with  these,  Mr.  Oswald  was  appointed  on 
the  part  of  Great  Britain.    The  conferences  were  held  at  Parisy 
where,  in  November,  1782,  preliminary  articles  were  agreed 
upon.     These  were  to  form  the  basis  of  a  definitive  treaty,  the 
conclusion  of  which  was  deferred  until  peace  should  take  place 
between  France,  the  ally  of  the  United  States,  and  Great  Bri 
tain.    That  event  occurred  on  the  third  day  of  September,  1783 ; 
and,  on  the  same  day,  a  definitive  treaty  between  the  parent 
country  and  her  late  colonies  was  also  signed. 

42.  The  provisions  of  the  treaty  attest  the  zeal  and  ability  of 
the  American  negotiators,  as  well  as  the  liberal  feelings  which 
actuated  the  new  British  ministry.     The  independence  of  the 
United  States  was  fully  acknowledged.     The  right  of  fishing  on 
the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  and  certain  facilities  in  the  enjoy 
ment  of  that  right,  were  secured  to  them  for  ever ;  and  territory 
was  ceded  to  them  more  extensive  than  the  most  sanguine  had 
dared  to  anticipate  or  to  hope.    During  the  negotiation,  France, 
to  insure  the  future  dependence  of  her  allies  upon  herself,  endea 
vored,  by  secret  intrigues,  to  prevent  them  from  obtaining  as  fa 
vorable  terms  as  even  their  late  enemies  were  willing  to  grant — 
a  striking  proof  of  the  selfishness  of  nations. 

43.  While  the  negotiations  were  pending,  the  American  troops 
were  retained  in  service,  but  remained  unemployed  at  their  va 
rious  stations.     They  saw  with  pleasure  the  end  of  their  toils 
approaching,  but  apprehended,  that  their  country,  when  she  no 
longer  needed  their  services,  wo  aid  forget  with  what  'zeal  and 
fidelity  they  had  been  rendered.     The  officers,  especially,  dread 
ed  that,  after  having,  for  want  of  pay,  expended  their  private 
fortunes,  and  after  having  exhausted  their  strength  in  the  per 
formance  of  arduous  and  protracted  services,  they  should  be  dis 
missed  in  poverty,  without  any  secure  provision  for  their  future 
support. 

44.  In  the  course  of  the  war,  a  resolution  had  been  adopted 
by  congress,  stipulating  that  the  officers,  after  being  disbanded, 
should  receive  half-pay  for  life.     This  resolution  had  never  been 
ratified  by  the  requisite  number  of  states,  and  no  safe  reliance 
could  therefore  be  placed  upon  it.     In  December,  1782,  the 
officers  forwarded  to  congress  a  petition  praying  that  all  arrears 
which  were  due  to  them  might  be  discharged,  and  that,  instead 
of  half-pay  for  life,  a  sum  equal  to  five  years  full  pay  should  be 
paid  or  secured  to  them  when  disbanded. 


202  REVOLUTIONARY  WAR.  [1783, 

45.  The  delay  of  congress  to  comply  with  this  request  produ 
ced  an  alarming  agitation  in  that  portion  of  the  army  stationed  at 
Newburgh.     An  address  to  the  officers  was  privately  circulated, 
written  with  great  ability,  and  admirably  well  fitted  to  work  upon 
those  passions  which  recent  sufferings  and  gloomy  forebodings 
had  excited  in  every  bosom.     The  writer  boldly  recommended 
that,  as  all  the  applications  to  the  sympathy  and  justice  of  con 
gress  had  failed  of  success,  an  appeal  should  be  made  to  their 
fears. 

46.  Fortunately    the    commander-in-chief  was    in   camp. 
Though  conscious  that  the  officers  had  just  cause  of  complaint, 
he  wras  aware  that  duty  to  his  country  and  even  friendship  for 
them,  required  that  he  should  prevent  the  adoption  of  rash  and 
disorderly  expedients  to  obtain  redress.     Calling  them  together, 
he,  by  a  calm  and  sensible  address,  persuaded  them  to  rely  still 
longer  upon  the  disposition  of  congress  to  perform  for  them  what 
ever  the  limited  means  of  the  nation  would  permit. 

47.  In  a  letter  to  that  body,  giving  an  account  of  these  occur 
rences,  he  maintained  and  enforced  the  claims  of  the  officers 
with  such  pathos  and  strength  of  reasoning,  that  their  request 
was  granted.     In  November,  1783,  the  PATRIOT  ARMY  was  dis 
banded,  and   again  mingled  with  their  fellow  citizens.     In  the 
same  month,  New- York  was  evacuated  by  the  British  troops. 
General  Washington,  taking  an  affectionate  leave  of  his  officers, 
repaired  to  Annapolis,  where  congress  was  sitting,  and  there, 
at  a  public  audience,  with  dignity  and  sensibility,  resigned  his 
commission  as  commander-in-chief  of  the  American  armies. 
Then,  with  a  character  illustrious  throughout  the  world,  he  re 
turned  to  his  residence  at  Mount  Vernori,  possessing  the  sincere 
love  and  profound  veneration  of  his  countrymen. 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

ADOPTION  OF  THE  CONSTITUTION, 
AND  WASHINGTON'S  ADMINISTRA 
TION. 


INDEPENDENCE  and  peace  did  not  immediately  produce 
all  the  advantages  which  had  been  anticipated  by  an  ardent  and 
sanguine  people.  The  evils  of  war  were  protracted  beyond  its 
duration.  Public  and  private  debts  bore  heavily  upon  the  peo 
ple,  restraining  their  enterprise  and  demanding  all  their  re 
sources. 

2.  Unsupported  by  the  sense  of  imminent  and  common  dan 
ger,  the  articles  of  confederation  were  found  insufficient  to  ac 
complish  the  purposes  of  a  national  government.     They  confer 
red  upon  congress  the  power,  not  to  raise  money,  but  merely  to 
make  requisitions  upon  the  states.     These  were  often  disregard 
ed,  no  authority  being  given  to  enforce  obedience.     The  reve 
nue  was  therefore  deficient,  the  public  creditors  were  unpaid, 
and  the  national  securities  or  evidences  of  debt  depreciated  so 
low  that  they  were  often  sold  for  one  eighth  of  their  nominal 
value. 

3.  Neither  did  these  articles  confer  the  power  to  regulate 
commerce.     Congress,  therefore,  could  not  make  commercial 
treaties  with  foreign  nations  which  would  be  obligatory  upon  the 
individual  states.     Unprotected  by  treaties,  and  unsupported  by 
countervailing  regulations,  the  American  merchants  were  denied 
all  participation,  except  on  terms  at  once  burdensome  and  de 
grading,  in  the  commerce  of  the  world.     The  trade  between 
the  several  states,  which  were  considered  separate  and  indepen 
dent  sovereignties,  was  also  embarrassed  by  numerous  restric 
tions,  producing  frequent  collisions,  and  diminishing  the  benefits 
which  naturally  flow  from  the  unfettered  enterprise  and  indus 
try  of  man.     Commerce  languished ;  and  from  the  want  of  its 
vivifying  influence,  all  the  energies  of  the  country  were  dor 
mant. 

4.  To  remedy  these  evils,  congress  applied  to  the  states  for  a 
grant  of  the  power  to  regulate  commerce,  and  to  collect  a  reve 
nue  from  it.     New- York  alone  refused  ;  but  as  unanimity  was 
requisite,  her  single  negative  defeated  the  project.     In  the  mean 


204  CONFEDERATION.  [1786. 

time,  the  distress  increased,  and  in  Massachusetts,  where  it  was 
greatest,  urged  to  insurrection  a  portion  of  the  inhabitants. 
Near  the  close  of  the  year  1786,  they  assembled,  to  the  number 
of  two  thousand,  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  state,  and, 
choosing  Daniel  Shays  their  leader,  demanded  that  the  collec 
tion  of  debts  should  be  suspended,  and  that  the  legislature  should 
authorize  the  emission  of  paper  money  for  general  circulation. 

5.  Two  bodies  of  militia,  drawn  from  those  parts  of  the  state 
where  disaffection  did  not  prevail,  were  immediately  despatched 
against  them,  one  under  the  command  of  general  Lincoln,  the 
other  of  general  Shepard.     They  were  easily  dispersed  ;  and 
afterwards  abandoning  their  seditious  purposes,  accepted   the 
proffered  indemnity  of  the  government. 

6.  So  early  as  1783,  John  Adams,  being  then  minister  in  Eu 
rope,  and  seeing  in  what  light  the  American  confederation  was 
regarded  by  foreign  nations,  suggested  to  congress  the  expedien 
cy  of  effecting  a  closer  union  of  the  states,  and  of  conferring 
more  efficient  powers  upon  the  general  government.    A  convic 
tion  of  the  necessity  of  such  a  course  was  also  felt  by  genera! 
Washington,  and  most  of  the  distinguished  patriots  of  that  pe 
riod.     In  September,  1786,  upon  the  proposition  of  Mr.  Madi 
son,  of  Virginia,  a  convention  of  commissioners  from  five  of  the 
middle  states,  was  held  at  Annapolis,  for  the  purpose  of  devising 
and  recommending  to  the  states  a  uniform  system  of  commercial 
regulations. 

7.  These  commissioners,  after  deliberating  upon  the  subject, 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  nothing  short  of  a  thorough  reform 
of  the  existing  government  should  be  attempted.     This  opinion 
was  expressed  in  the  report  of  their  proceedings,  which  was  laid 
before  congress.     That  body  adopted,  in  consequence,  a  resolu 
tion  recommending  that  a  convention  of  delegates  from  all  the 
states  should  be  held  at  Philadelphia,  for  the  purpose  of  revising 
the  articles  of  confederation,  and  reporting  such,  alterations'  as 
would  render  the  federal  constitution  adequate  to  the  exigences 
of  government,  and  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

8.  With  this  recommendation  all  the  states,  except  Rhode 
Island,  complied  ;  and  in  May,  1787,  the  convention  met.     Of 
this  body  of  venerable  and  illustrious  statesmen,  George  Wash 
ington  was  unanimously  elected  president.     They  deliberated 
ivith  closed  doors,  and  at  the  end  of  four  months,  agreed  upon  a 
constitution  for  the  United  States  of  America,  which,  after  be 
ing  reported  to  congress,  was  submitted  for  r ;.v  ificatiou  to  con 
ventions  holden  in  the  respective  states. 

9.  This  constitution,  under  which  the  citizens  of  this  republic 
have  enjoyed  such  unexampled  happiness  and  prosperity,  differs 


1787.  CONFEDERATION.  205 

in  many  particulars,  from  the  articles  of  confederation.  It  con 
nects  the  states  more  closely  together,  by  establishing  a  general 
and  supreme  government  composed  of  three  departments,  legis 
lative,  executive,  and  judicial. 

10.  The  legislative  department  consists  of  a  senate  and  house 
of  representatives,  and  is  styled  the  congress.     The  members 
of  the  house  are  chosen  by  the  people,  and  hold  their  offices 
two  years.     They  are  apportioned  among  the  several  states,  ac 
cording  to  the  number  of  inhabitants,  as  ascertained  every  tenth 
year  by  the  census,  deducting  two  fifths  of  the  slaves. 

11.  The  senators  are  the  representatives  of  the  states,  in 
their  sovereign  capacity,  and  are  chosen  by  the  state  legislatures, 
each  choosing  two.     The  constitution  ordained  that  on  assem 
bling  at  the  first  session,  they  should  be  divided,  as  equally  as 
possible,  into  three  classes.     Those  composing  the  first  class 
were  to  hold  their  offices  but  two  years  ;  those  composing  the 
second  class,  four  years ;  those  composing  the  third,  six  years. 
All  subsequently  chosen  were  to  hold  their  offices  six  years,  except 
euch  as  should  be  chosen  to  supply  the  places  of  those  who  had 
died  or  resigned.     Besides  their  legislative  power,  they  have,  in 
concurrence  with  the  executive,  a  voice  in  all  appointments  to 
office,  and  in  the  ratification  of  treaties. 

12.  The  executive  power  is  vested  in  a  president  appointed 
by  electors.     These  electors  are  chosen  in  the  respective  states, 
in  such  manner  as  the  different  legislatures  may  prescribe,  and 
are  equal  in  number  to  the  senators  and  representatives   from 
the  state  in  congress.     If,  however,  no  person  receives  a  ma 
jority  of  the  votes  of  these  electors  the  president  is  then  chosen 
by  the  representatives,  those  from  each  state  having  but  one  vote. 
He  is  elected  for  four  years  ;  but  he  may  be  impeached  by  the 
house,  tried  by  the  senate,  and,  if  convicted  of  misconduct,  may 
be    removed   from  office.     He  is  commander-in-chief  of  the 
land  and  naval  forces.     He  nominates  to  the  senate  all  officers 
of  the  general  government,  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of 
two  thirds  of  that  body,  ratifies  treaties.     A  vice-president  is 
chosen  at  the  same  time,  and  in  the  same  manner,  to  perform 
all  the  duties  of  president  when  that  office  is  vacant  by  death, 
resignation,  or  removal. 

13.  To  pass  a  law,  the  house  and  senate  must  concur,  and  it 
is  then  to  be  sent  to  the  president,  who  must  approve  it.     If  he 
does  not  approve  it,  he  must  return  it  with  his  objections  ;  and 
it  must  then  be  agreed  to  by  two-thirds  of  both  branches.     Laws 
thus  enacted  are  obligatory  upon  the  citizens  individually,  and 
may  be  executed  by  officers  appointed  by  the  president  and 
senate     Under  the  confederation,  the  ordinances  of  Congress 

$ 


206  CONFEDERATION  [1787, 

operated  only  upon  the  states,  and  no  efficient  mode  was  provided 
for  enforcing  them. 

14.  The  constitution  confers  on  congress  the  power  to  de 
clare  war ;  to  raise  and  support  armies  ;  to  provide  and  main 
tain  a  navy ;  to  lay  and  collect  taxes,  duties,  imposts,  and  ex 
cises  ;  to  regulate  commerce ;  to  coin  money ;  and  all  other 
powers  of  a  general  or  national  character.     It  diminishes,  in  no 
respect,  the  liberty  of  the  citizen,  but  transfers  a  portion  of  the 
powers,  previously  exercised  by  the  state  governments,  to  the 
government  of  the  union. 

15.  The  judicial  power  of  the  United  States  is  vested  in  a 
supreme  court,  and  such  inferior  courts  as  the  congress  may 
establish  ;  and  it  extends  to  all  cases  arising  under  the  constitu 
tion,  the  laws  of  congress,  and  treaties ;  to  all  cases  of  admi 
ralty  and  maritime  jurisdiction;  to  all  controversies  between 
citizens   of  different  states,  and  between  foreigners  and  citi 
zens  :  the  judges  hold  their  offices  during  good  behaviour. 

16.  The  new  constitution  found  opposers  as  well  as  advo 
cates,  and  both  were  equally  zealous.     The  former,  ardently- 
attached  to  liberty,  imagined  that  rulers  possessing  such  exten 
sive  sway,  such  abundant  patronage,   and  such  independent 
tenure  of  office,  would  become  fond  of  the  exercise  of  power, 
and  in  the  end,  arrogant  and  tyrannical.     The  latter  professed 
equal  attachment  to  liberty,  but  contended  that,  to  preserve  it, 
an  energetic  government  was  necessary.     They  described,  with 
powerful  effect,  the  evils  actually  endured  from  the  inefficiency 
of  the  confederation,  and  demanded  that  a  trial  at  least  should  be 
made  of  the  remedy  proposed.     These  took  the  name  of  fede 
ralists,  as  friendly  to  a  union  of  the  states  ;  the  appellation  of 
anti- federalists  was  given  to  their  antagonists 

17.  In  the  conventions  of  eleven  states,  a  majority,  though  in 
some  instances  a  small  one,  decided  in  favor  of  its  ratification. 
Provision  was  then  made  for  the  election  of  the  officers  to  com 
pose  the  executive  and  legislative  departments.     To  the  highest 
station,  the  electors,  by-a  unanimous  vote,  elected  George  Wash 
ington,  illustrious  for  his  virtues  and  military  talents.     To  the 
second,  that  of  vice-president,  by  a  vote  nearly  unanimous,  they 
elevated  John  Adams,  who,  in  stations  less  conspicuous,  had, 
with  equal  patriotism,  rendered  important  services  to  his  country. 

18.  The  fourth  of  March,  1789,  was  the  day  designated  for 
the  new  government  to  commence  its  operations.     The  delays 
incident  to  its  first  organization,  prevented  the  inauguration  of 
the  President,  until  the  30th  of  April.     The  ceremony  was  wit 
nessed,  with  inexpressible  joy,  by  an  immense  concourse  of 
citizens.     In  an  impressive  address  to  both  houses  of  Congress, 


1789.]  ADMINISTRATION.  207 

he  declared,  with  characteristic  modesty,  his  "  incapacity  for 
the-  mighty  and  untried  cares  before  him,"  and  offered  his  "  fer 
vent  supplications  to  that  Almighty  Being,  whose  providential 
aid  can  supply  every  human  defect,  that  his  benediction  would 
consecrate  to  the  liberties  and  happiness  of  the  people  of  the 
United  States,  a  government  instituted  by  themselves  for  these 
essential  purposes  ;  and  would  enable  every  instrument,  em 
ployed  in  its  administration,  to  execute,  with  success,  the  func 
tions  allotted  to  his  charge." 

19.  He  also  expressed  his  firm  conviction,  "  that  the  foun 
dation  of  our  national  policy  would  be  laid  in,  the  pure  and  im 
mutable  principles  of  private  morality  ;  and  that  the  pre-emi 
nence  of  a  free  government  would  be  exemplified  by  all  the  at 
tributes  which  can  win  the  affections  of  its  citizens,  and  com 
mand  the  respect  of  the  world." 

20.  "  I  dwell,"  said  he,  "  on  this  prospect  with  every  satisfac 
tion  which  an  ardent  love  for  my  country  can  inspire ;  since 
there  is  no  truth  more  thoroughly  established,  than  that  there 
exists,  in  the  economy  and  course  of  nature,  an  indissoluble 
union  between  virtue  and  happiness  ;  between  duty  and  advan 
tage  ;  between  the  genuine  maxims  of  an  honest  and  magnani 
mous  policy,  and  the  solid  rewards  of  public  prosperity  and  feli 
city  ;  and  since  the  destiny  of  the  republican  model  of  govern 
ment  is  justly  considered  as  DEEPLY,  perhaps  as  FINALLY,  staked 
on  the  experiment  intrusted  to  the  American  people." 

21.  To  establish  a  revenue  sufficient  for  the  support  of  go 
vernment,  and  for  the  discharge  of  the  debt  contracted  in  the  re 
volutionary  war,  was  the  first  object  of  congress.     For  this  pur 
pose,  duties  were  laid  on  the  importation  of  merchandise,  and  on 
the  tonnage  of  vessels ;  and  from  these  sources  were  drawn  into 
the  national  treasury,  funds  which  had  before  been  collected  and 
appropriated  by  the  states  on  the  sea  coast. 

22.  Laws,  creating  a  department  of  state,  of  the  treasury,  and 
of  war,  were  enacted ;  and  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr.  Hamilton,  and 
general  Knox,  appointed  secretaries  or  principals.     A  national 
judiciary  was  constituted  and  organized.     A  resolve  was  passed, 
directing  the  secretary  of  the  treasury  to  prepare  a  plan  for  the 
support  of  public  credit ;  and  amendments  to  the  constitution 
were  proposed,  which  were  subsequently  ratified  by  the  states  ; 
and  which,  removing  many  of  the  objections  made  to  it,  rendered 
it  acceptable  to  all. 

23.  After  the  adjournment  of  congress,  the  president  made  a 
tour  through  New-England,  where  he  was  received  by  the  in 
habitants  with  an  affection  bordering  on  adoration.     People  of 
all  classes  crowded  tc  behold  the  man  whose  virtues  and  talents 


WASHINGTON'S  [1790. 

exalted  him,  in  their  view,  above  the  heroes  of  ancient  and  mo 
dern  times ;  and  to  present  to  him  the  undissembled  homage  of 
their  grateful  hearts.  But  to  none  did  his  visit  give  more  exqui 
site  pleasure  than  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  "  patriot 
army,"  who  had  been  his  companions  in  suffering  and  in  victory, 
who  were  endeared  to  him  by  their  bravery  and  fidelity  in  war, 
and  by  the  magnanimity  with  which,  in  peace,  they  endured  un 
merited  neglect  and  poverty. 

24.  At  the  next  session  of  congress,  which  commenced  in 
January,  1790,  Mr.  Hamilton,  the  secretary  of  the  treasury, 
made  his  celebrated  report  upon  the  public  debts  contracted  du 
ring  the  revolutionary  war.     Taking  an  able  and  enlarged  view 
of  the  advantages  of  public  credit,  he  recommended  that,  not  only 
the  debts  of  the  continental  congress,  but  those  of  the  states 
arising  from  their  exertions  in  the  common  cause,  should  be 
funded  or  assumed  by  the  general  government ;  and  that  provi 
sion  should  be  made  for  paying  the  interest,  by  imposing  taxes 
on  certain  articles  of  luxury,  and  on  spirits  distilled  within  the 
country. 

25.  Upon  this  report  an  animated  debate  took  place.     Its  re- 
commendations  were  opposed  by  that  party  who  had  seen,  or 
thought  they  had  seen,  in  the  constitution,  many  features  hostile 
to  freedom,  and  who  remembered  that  Mr.  Hamilton,  when  a 
member  of  the  convention,  had  proposed  that  the  president  and 
senate  should  be  appointed  to  hold  their  offices  during  good  be 
haviour.     They  now  expressed  their  fears,  that  the  assumption 
of  these  debts  would  render  the  government  still  stronger,  by 
drawing  around  it  a  numerous  and  powerful  body  of  public  cre 
ditors,  who,  in  all  its  contests  with  the  states  or  the  people,  would 
be  bound,  by  the  strongest  of  all  ties,  that  of  interest,  to  support 
it  whether  right  or  wrong.     This  party,  existing  principally  in 
the  southern  states,  and  professirig  an  ardent  attachment  to  the 
equal  rights  of  man,  took  the  name  of  republican. 

26.  Mr.  Madison  proposed,  that  whenever  the  public  securi 
ties  had  been  transferred,  the  highest  price  which  they  had  borne 
in  the  market  should  be  paid  to  the  purchaser,  and  the  residue  to 
the  original  holder.     After  an  eloquent  debate,  this  proposition 
was  rejected.     The  party  denominated  federal,  and  existing 
principally  in  the  northern  states,  supported  throughout,  with 
great  ability  and  force  of  reasoning,  the  plans  of  the  secretary  ; 
but  on  taking  the  vote  in  the  house  of  representatives,  they  were 
rejected  by  a  majority  of  two. 

27.  Afterwards  this  national  measure  was  connected,  as  is  too 
frequently  the  case  in  legislative  bodies,  with  one  which  had  ex 
cited  much  local  feeling.     It  wag  understood  that,  should  the 


1790,]  ADMINISTRATION.  209 

Beat  of  government  be  fixed  for  ten  years  at  Philadelphia,  and 
afterwards  permanently  at  a  place  to  be  selected  on  the  Potomac, 
eome  southern  members  would  withdraw  their  opposition  to  the 
funding  system.  A  law  to  that  effect  was  accordingly  enacted. 
The  former  discussion  was  then  resumed.  The  plans  of  the  se 
cretary  were  adopted  in  the  senate  and  afterwards  in  the  house, 
two  members  representing  districts  on  the  Potomac,  changing 
their  votes.  The  debt  funded  amounted  to  a  little  more  than 
eeventy-fi  ve  millions  of  dollars  ;  upon  a  part  of  which  three  per 
tent,  and  upon  the  remainder  six  per  cent  interest  was  to  be 
paid. 

28.  The  effect  of  this  measure  was  great  and  rapid.    The  price 
of  the  public  paper,  which  had  fallen  to  twelve  or  fifteen  cents  on 
the  dollar,  suddenly  rose  to  the  sum  expressed  on  the  face  of  it. 
This  difference  was  gained,  in  most  instances,  by  purchasers  of 
the  securities,  who,  feeling  indebted,  for  this  immense  accession 
of  wealth,  to  the  plans  of  the  secretary,  regarded  him  with  en 
thusiastic  attachment.     But  in  others,  this  wealth,  suddenly  ac 
quired  without  merit,  excited  envy  and  dissatisfaction.     These 
joined  the  republican  party  ;  who,  fancying  they  were  witnessing 
'the  fulfilment  of  their  prediction,  became  more  active  in  their 
opposition. 

29.  The  recommendation  of  the  secretary  to  impose  addi 
tional  duties,  was  not  acted  upon  until  the  next  session  of  con 
gress.     Those  on  distilled  spirits  were  proposed  in  order  to  ren 
der  the  burdens  of  the  inhabitants  beyond  the  Alleghany  moun 
tains,  where  no  other  spirits  were  consumed,  equal  to  those  of 
the  inhabitants  on  the  sea  coast,  who  consumed  most  of  the  ar 
ticles  on  which  an  import  duty  was  paid.     In  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1791,  they  were  laid  as  proposed.     A  national  bank, 
recommended  also  by  the  same  officer,  was  in  the  same  year  in 
corporated.     Both  measures  met  a  violent  opposition  from  the 
republican  party. 

30.  When  the  new  government  was  first  organized,  but  eleven 
states  had  ratified  the  constitution.    Afterwards,  North-Carolina 
and  Rhode-Island,  the  two  dissenting  states,  adopted  it ;  the  for- 
mer  in  November,  1789,  the  latter  in  May,  1790.     In  1791, 
Vermont  adopted  it,  and  applied  to  congress  to  be  admitted  into 
the  union.     The  territory  of  this  state,  situated  between  New- 
Hampshire  and  New- York,  was  claimed  by  both,  and  both  had 
made  grants  of  land  within  its  limits.     In  1777,  the  inhabitants, 
refusing  to  submit  to  either,  declared  themselves  independent. 
Although  not  represented  in  the  continental  congress,  yet,  during 
the  war,  they  embraced  the  cause  of  their  brethren  in  the  other 
states,  and  to  them  their  aid.  was  often  rendered,  and  was  always 


210  'WASHINGTON'S  [1791. 

efficient.  Agreeably  to  their  request,  an  act  was  now  passed, 
constituting  Vermont  one  of  the  members  of  the  union.  An  act 
was  also  passed,  declaring  that  the  district  of  Kentucky,  then  a 
part  of  Virginia,  should  be  admitted  into  the  union  on  the  first 
day  of  June,  in  the  succeeding  year. 

31.  In  1791,  was  completed  the  first  census  or  enumeration 
of  the  inhabitants  of  the  United  States.     They  amounted  to 
3,921,326,  of  which  number  695,655  were  slaves.     The  reve 
nue,  according  to  the  report  of  the  secretary  of  the  treasury, 
amounted  to  4,771,000  dollars,  the  exports  to  about  nineteen, 
and  the  imports  to  about  twenty  millions.     A  great  improvement 
in  the  circumstances  of  the  people  began  at  this  period  to  be 
visible.     The  establishment  of  a  firm  and  regular  government, 
t?nd  confidence  in  the  men  whom  they  had  chosen  to  administei 
it,  gave  an  impulse  to  their  exertions  which  bore  them  rapidly 
iorward  in  the  career  of  prosperity. 

32.  In  1790,  a  termination  was  put  to  the  war  which,  for 
several  years,  had  raged  between  the  Creek  Indians  and  the  state 
of  Georgia.     Pacific  overtures  were  also  made  to  the  hostile 
tribes  inhabiting  the  banks  of  the  Scioto  and  the  Wabash.    These 
being  rejected,  an  army  of  1400  men,  commanded  by  general 
Harmer,  was  despatched  against  them.    Two  battles  were  fought 
near  Chilicothe,  in  Ohio,  between  successive  detachments  from 
this  army  and  the  Indians,  in  which  the  latter  were  victorious. 

33.  Emboldened  by  these  successes,  they  made  more  vigorous 
attacks  upon  the  frontier  settlements,  which  suffered  all  the  dis 
tressing  calamities  of  an  Indian  war.     Additional  troops  were 
raised,  and  the  command  of  the  whole  was  given  to  general  St. 
Clair.     With  near  2000  men,  he  marched,  in  October,  into  the 
wilderness.     By  desertion  and  detachments,  this  force  was  re 
duced  to  fourteen  hundred.     On  the  third  of  November,  they 
encamped  a  few  miles  from  the  villages  on  the  Miami,  intending 
to  remain  there  until  joined  by  those  who  were  absent. 

34.  But  before  sunrise,  the  next  morning,  just  after  the  troops 
were  dismissed  from  the  parade,  they  were  attacked  unexpect 
edly  by  the  Indians.      The  new  levies,  who  were  in   front, 
rushed  back  in  confusion  upon  ,the  regulars.     These,  who  had 
been  hastily  formed,  were  thrown  into  disorder.     They,  how 
ever,  with  great  intrepidity,  advanced  into  the  midst  of  the  ene 
my,  who  retired  from  covert  to  covert,  keeping  always  beyond 
reach,  and  again  returning  as  soon  as  the  troops  .were  recalled 
from  pursuit.     In  these  charges  many  brave  and  experienced 
officers  were  killed ;  the  loss  of  men  was  also  great,  and  no  per 
manent  impression  was  made  upon  the  enemy. 

35.  At  length,  after  a  contest  of  thrfp  or  foJip  hours,  8t 


1792.]  ADMINISTRATION.  211 

Clair,  whose  ill  health  disabled  him  from  performing  the 
active  duties  of  commander,  determined  to  withdraw  from  the 
iield  the  remnant  of  his  troops.  The  instant  that  the  directions 
to  retire  were  given,  a  disorderly  flight  commenced.  Fortunately 
for  the  survivers,  the  victorious  Indians  were  soon  recalled  from 
pursuit  to  the  camp,  by  their  avidity  for  plunder ;  and  the  van 
quished  continued  their  retreat  unmolested  to  the  frontier  settle 
ments. 

36.  In  this  battle,  the  numbers  engaged  on  each  side  were 
supposed  to  be  equal.     Of  the  whites,  the  slaughter  was  almost 
beyond  example.     Six  hundred  and  thirty  were  killed  and  mis 
sing,  and  two  hundred  and  sixty  were  wounded — a  loss  which 
proves  at  once  the  obstinacy  of  the  defence,  and  the  bravery  of 
the  assailants.     On  receiving  information  of  this  disaster,  con 
gress,  resolving  to  prosecute  the  war  with  increased  vigor,  made 
provision  for  augmenting,  by  enlistment,  the  military  force  pi 
the  nation  to  5000  men. 

37.  In  the  autumn  of  1792,  general  Washington  was  again, 
unanimously  elected  president  of  the  American  republic,  and  in 
March,    1793,  was  inducted  into  office.     Mr.  Adams  was  rr- 
elected  vice-president,  in  opposition  to  George  Clinton,  of  New- 
York.     In  the   progress   of  these   elections,   but  little  party 
feeling  was  exhibited  ;  the  repose  of  society  was  not  disturbed, 
but  the  citizens  raised  to  posts  of  the  highest  honor  those  whom 
their  judgments  and  affections  designated  as  the  most  worthy. 

38.  While  the  Americans,  with  but  little  alloy,  were  enjoying, 
under  a  government  of  their  own  choice,  the  blessings  of  inde 
pendence  and  freedom,  the  people  of  France,  by  whose  aid  these 
blessings  had  been  acquired,  wrere  experiencing  all  the  miseries 
of  anarchy.     Grievously  oppressed  by  institutions  originating 
in  times  of  ignorance  and  barbarism,  they  had  risen  in  the  ma 
jesty  of  physical  strength,  and  declared  their  determination  to  be 
free.     Against  a  whole  people,  aroused  by  their  sufferings  to  de 
mand  their  rights,  what  effectual  resistance  can  be  opposed  1  Be 
fore  their  energetic  exertions,  prompted  by  enthusiasm  and  di 
rected  by  fatal  skill,  their  ancient  government  crumbled  to  the  dust. 

39.  Passing  at  once  from  abject  slavery  to  entire  liberty, 
their  conduct  was  marked  by  the  most  shocking  excesses.    The 
mild  virtues  of  their  king,  alleviating  but  slightly  the  evils  of 
despotism,  could  not  save  him   from  that  resentment  which 
consigned  to   indiscriminate  destruction  the  hereditary  ordei^s. 
Himself,  his  queen,  and   many  thousands  of  the  nobility  and 
clergy,  suffered  death  on  the  scaffold.     A  new  government  was 
instituted,  having,  for  its  fundamental  principle,  the  universal 


212  WASHINGTON'S  [1T93. 

equality  of  man.  Its  form  was  often  changed,  and  the  reins  of 
authority  were  successively  but  unsteadily,  held  by  the  tempo 
rary  favorites  of  an  unenlightened  and  capricious  people. 

40.  The  Americans  could  riot  regard  with  indifference  this 
struggle  of  their  allies  for  freedom.     They  considered   their 
excesses  as  the  first  effects  of  sudden  relief  from  oppression, 
and  hoped  that  experience  would  produce  sobriety  of  conduct 
and  reverence  for  law.     They  hailed  the  French  revolution  as 
the  offspring  of  their  own,  and  cherished  the  flattering  expecta 
tion    that,  by  the  diffusion  of  the  principles  of  liberty,   the 
whole  civilized  world  would  become  partakers  of  its  blessings. 

41.  The  French  people,   at  the  same  time,  regarded  the 
Americans  as  their  brethren,  bound  to  them  by  the  ties  of  gra 
titude  ;    and   when  the  kings  of  Europe,  dreading  the  esta 
blishment  of  republicanism  in  her  borders,  assembled  in  arms 
to  restore  monarchy  to  France,  they  looked  across  the  Atlantic 
for  sympathy  and  assistance.     The  new  government,  recalling 
the  minister  whom  the  king  had  appointed,  despatched  the  citi 
zen  Genet,  of  ardent  temper  and  a  zealous  republican,  to  sup 
ply  his  place.     In  April,   1793,  he  arrived  at  Charleston,  in 
South-Carolina,  where  he  was  received,  by  the  governor  and 
the  citizens,  in  a  manner  expressive  of  their  warm  attachment 
to  his  country,  and  their  cordial  approbation  of  the  change  in 
her  institutions. 

42.  Flattered  by  his  reception,  and  presuming  that  the  nation 
and  the  government  were  actuated  by  similar  feelings,  he  as 
sumed  the  authority  of  expediting  privateers  from  that  port  to 
cruise  against  the  vessels  of  nations  who  were  enemies  to  France, 
but  at  peace  with  the  United  States,  a  procedure  forbidden  by 
the  laws  of  nations,  and  derogatory  to  the  government  of  the 
country.     Notwithstanding  this  illegal  assumption  of  power,  he 
received,  on  his  journey  to  Philadelphia,  extravagant  marks  of 
public  attachment ;  and,  on  his  arrival  there,  ;<  crowds  flocked 
from  every  avenue  of  the  city  to  meet  the  republican  ambassador 
of  an  allied  nation."     Intoxicated  by  these   continued   and  in 
creased  demonstrations  of  regard,  he  persisted  in  forming  and 
executing  schemes  of  hostility  against  the  enemies  of  France. 

43.  The  British  minister  complained  to  the  president,  who, 
by  the  unanimous  advice  of  his  cabinet,  directed  Mr.  Jefferson, 
the  secretary  of  state,  to   lay  before  the  minister  of  France  the 
principles  which  would  regulate  the  conduct  of  the  executive  iu 
relation  to  the  powers  at  Avar.     These  principles  forbade  the 
course  which  Mr.  Genet  had  pursued.    Relying  on  the  popular 
ity  of  his  nation,  he  attempted,  by  indolent  and  offensive  declar- 


1794.]  ADMINISTRATION.  213 

ations,  to  drive  the  president  from  the  ground  he  hacl  taken. 
He  threatened  to  appeal  from  the  government  to  the  people,  a 
measure  which  other  agents  of  the  French  republic  had  adopt 
ed  with  success  in  Europe.  Here  the  result  was  different 
The  people  rallied  around  rulers,  having  the  same  interest  as 
themselves.  The  minister  was  abandoned  by  most  of  his  friends ; 
his  government,  at  the  request  of  the  president,  annulled  his 
powers  ;  and  fearing  to  return,  he  remained  in  the  country,  a 
striking  example  of  the  imbecility  of  a  factious  individual 
among  a  people  confiding  in  their  rulers,  and  contented  with 
their  lot. 

44.  This  conduct  of  Mr.  Genet,  the  atrocities  committed  by 
the  French  people,  and  the  dreaded  danger  of  their  example, 
alienated  from  them  many  of  the  citizens  of  the  United  States, 
especially  those  belonging  to  the  federal  party.     And  as  the 
world  was  then  agitated  by  the  mighty  contest  between  France 
and  Great  Britain — a  contest  which  permitted  not  neutrality  oi* 
feeling — those  who  became  hostile  to  the  former  became  natu 
rally  the  friends  of  the  latter.     To  her  they  were  besides  attract 
ed  by  identity  of  origin,  by  resemblance  of  institutions,  by  simi 
larity  of  language,  by  community  of  laws,  of  literature,  and  of 
religion. 

45.  The  republicans  retained  an  unabated  affection  for  the 
French,  whose  services  they  remembered  with  gratitude,  and 
whose  struggles  for  freedom,  against  the  league  of  European 
tyrants,  engaged  all  their  sympathy.     Over  these  two  parties 
Washington,  admitting  no  thought  but  for  his  own   country, 
watched  with  anxious  solicitude,  striving  to  restrain  their  aber 
rations,  and  to  temper  their  mutual  animosities. 

46.  After  the  defeat  of  St.  Clair  by  the  Indians,  in  1791,  ge 
neral  Wayne  was  appointed  to  command  the  American  forces. 
Taking  post  near  the  country  of  the  enemy,  he  made  assiduous 
and  long  protracted  endeavors  to  negotiate  a  peace.     Failing  in 
these,  he  inarched  against  them,  at  the  head  of  three  thousand 
men.     On  the  20th  of  August,  1794,  an  action  took  place  in  the 
vicinity  of  one  of  the  British  garrisons,  on  the  banks  oi%  the  Mia 
mi.     A  rapid  and  vigorous  charge  roused  the  savages  from  their 
coverts,  and  they  were  driven  more  than  two  miles  at  the  point 
of  the  bayonet.     Broken  and  dismayed,  they  fled  without  re 
newing  the  combat.     Their  houses  and  cornfields  were  destroy 
ed,  and  forts  were  erected  on  the  sites  of  the  towns  laid  waste. 
In  1795,  a  treaty  was  concluded  at  Grenville,  which,  long  and 
faithfully  observed,  gave  peace  and  security  to  the  frontier  inha- 
fcutants,  permitting  the  abundant  population  of  the  eastern  stares 


214  WASHINGTON'S  [1794 

to  spread,  with  astonishing  rapidity,  over  the  fertile  region  north 
west  of  the  Ohio. 

47.  The  tax  which  had  been  imposed  upon  spirits  distilled 
within  the  country,  bearing  heavily  upon  the  people  in  the  wes 
tern  counties  of  Pennsylvania,  produced  there  disaffection  and 
disturbance.     All  excise  taxes,  of  which  this  was  one,  being 
considered  hostile  to  liberty,  great  exertions  were  made  to  ex 
cite  the  public  resentment  against  those  who  should  willingly  pay- 
it,  and  especially  against  the  officers  appointed  to  collect  it.     In 
September,  1791,  a  large  meeting  of  malcontents  was  held  at 
Pittsburgh,  at  which  resolutions,  encouraging  resistance  to  the 
laws,  were  passed  ;  and  subsequently  other  meetings  were  held, 
at  which  similar  resolutions  were  adopted.     Committees  of  cor 
respondence  were  also  appointed  to  give  unity  of  system  to  their 
measures,  and  to  increase  the  number  of  their  associates. 

48.  A  proclamation  of  the  president,  exhorting  all  persons  to 
desist  from  illegal  combinations,  and  calling  on  the  magistrates 
to  execute  the  laws,  was  disregarded.     The  marshall  of  the 
state,  while  serving  processes  upon  delinquents  and  offenders, 
was  resisted  and  fired  upon.     The  inspector  of  the  revenue, 
dreading  the  indignation  of  the  populace,  procured  a  small  de 
tachment  of  soldiers  to  guard  his  house.     These  were  attacked 
by  a  body  of  five  hundred  insurgents,  who,  setting  fire  to  several 
contiguous  buildings,  obliged  the  soldiers  to  leave  the  house,  and 
deliver  themselves  up.     Several  individuals,  zealous  in  support 
ing  the  government,  were  ordered  to  quit  the  country  and  com 
pelled  to  obey.     An  intention  was  openly  avowed  of  forcibly 
resisting  the  general  government  with  the  view  of  extorting  a 
repeal  of  the  offensive  laws.     The  effective  strength  of  the  in 
surgents  was  computed  at  seven  thousand  men. 

49.  The  president,  conceiving  himself  bound  by  the  most  so 
lemn  obligations,  "  to  take  care  that  the  laws  be  faithfully  execu 
ted,"  determined  to  call  out  a  part  of  the  militia  of  Pennsylva 
nia,  and  the  adjacent  states,  to  suppress  this  insurrection.     In 
the  autumn  of  1794,  fifteen  thousand  were  detached,  and  being 
placed  under  the  command  of  governor  Lee,  of  Virginia,  were 
marched  into  the  disaffected  counties.     The  strength  of  this  ar 
my  rendering  resistance  desperate,  none  was  offered,  arid  no 
blood  was  shed.     A  few  of  the  most  active  leaders  were  seized 
and  detained  for  legal  prosecution.     The  great  body  of  the  in 
surgents  on  submission  were  pardoned,  as  were  also  the  leaders, 
after  trial  and  conviction  of  treason.     The  government  acquired 
the  respect  of  the  people,  by  this  exertion  of  its  force,  and  their 
affection,  by  this  display  of  its  lenity. 


1794.]  ADMINISTRATION.  215 

50.  Since  the  peace  of  1783,  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States,  had  each  incessantly  complained  that  the  other  had  viola 
ted  the  stipulations  contained  in  the  treaty.     The  former  was 
accused  of  having  carried  away  negroes  at  the  close  of  the  revo 
lutionary  war ;  and  of  retaining  in  her  possession  certain  military 
posts  situated  in  the  western  wilderness,  and  within  the  limits  of 
the  United  States,  in  consequence  of  which  the  Americans  were 
deprived  of  their  share  of  the  fur  trade,  and  the  Indians  incited 
to  make  incursions  upon  the  frontier  settlements.     The  latter 
were  accused  of  preventing  the  loyalists  from  regaining  posses 
sion  of  their  estates,  and  British  subjects  from  recovering  debts 
contracted  before  the  commencement  of  hostilities. 

51.  For  the  purpose  of  adjusting  these  mutual  complaints, 
and  also  of  concluding  a  commercial  treaty,  Mr.  Adams,  in 
1785,  was  appointed  minister  to  London.    Great  Britain,  aware 
that  the  articles  of  confederation  did  not  authorize  congress  to 
bind  the  states  by  a  commercial  treaty,  declined  then  to  nego 
tiate.     After  the  constitution  was  ratified,  ministers  were  inter 
changed,  and  the  discussion  was  prosecuted  with  no  little  acri 
mony  and  zeal. 

52.  In  1794,  Mr.  Jay  being  then  minister  from  the  United 
States,  a  treaty  was  concluded,  which,  in  the  spring  of  the  next 
year  was  laid  before  the  senate.     That  body  advised  the  presi 
dent  to  ratify  it,  on  condition  that  an  alteration  should  be  made 
in  one  of  the  articles.     Its  contents  having,  in  the  mean  time, 
been  disclosed,  the  republican  party  exclaimed,  in  intemperate 
language,  against  most  of  the  stipulations  it  contained.     The 
partisans  of  France  swelled  the  cry  of  condemnation.     Public 
meetings  were  held  in  various  parts  cf  the  union,  at  which  reso 
lutions  were  passed  expressing  warm  disapprobation  of  the  treaty, 
and  an  earnest  wish  that  the  president  would  withhold  his  ratifi 
cation.     Such  appeared  to  be  the  wish  of  a  great  majority  of  the 
people. 

53.  General  Washington,  believing  that  an  adjustment  of  dif 
ferences  would  conduce  to  the  prosperity  of  the  republic,  and 
that  the  treaty  before  him  was  the  best  that  could,  at  that  time, 
be  obtained,  gave  it  his  assent,  in  defiance  of  popular  clamor. 
So  great  was  the  confidence  reposed,  by  the  people,  in  their  be 
loved  chief-magistrate,  that  the  public  sentiment  began  imme 
diately  to  change.     The  friends  of  the  treaty  not  only  increased 
in  numbers,  but  gained  courage  to  speak  in  its  defence.     And 
during  the  summer  of  1795,  the  nation  was  agitated  by  a  zealous 
and  animated  discussion  of  its  merits. 

54.  At  the  next  session  of  congress,  it  became  a  subject  of 
consideration  in  the  house  of  representatives.     The  treaty,  its 


216  WASHINGTOiVS  [1795. 

negotiator,  and  even  the  president,  were  virulently  censured,  and 
warmly  defended,  in  a  debate  which  has  seldom  been  equalled 
for  its  intemperance,  its  eloquence,  or  its  duration.  On  the  final 
question,  a  majority  of  three  voted  m  favor  of  the  appropriation 
necessary  to  carry  it  into  effect.  The  subsequent  prosperity  of 
American  commerce  demonstrates  the  wisdom  of  the  president's 
decision. 

55.  The  conduct  of  Spain  towards  the  United  States,  had  ever 
been  cold  and  unfriendly.     She  feared  lest  the  principles  of 
liberty,  and  the  desire  of  independence  should  find  their  way  into 
her  contiguous  American  provinces.     During  the  negotiations 
at  Paris,  which  resulted  in  peace,  she  secretly  exerted  her  in 
fluence  to  cause  the  western  boundaries  of  the  new  republic, 
fro.ni  the  great  lakes  to  Florida,  to  be  fixed  two  or  three  hundred 
miles  east  of  the  Mississippi.     To  the  repeated  offers,  which 
were  afterwards  made,  to  form  with  her  a  commercial  treaty, 
and  to  make  arrangements  respecting  the  mutual  navigation  of 
that  river,  she  pertinaciously  declined  to  accede. 

56.  When  the  inhabitants  beyond  the  Alleghany  mountains 
had  become  numerous,  she  denied  them  access  to  the  ocean  by 
the  medium  of  that  river,  the  mouth  of  which  was  within  her 
province  of  Louisiana.     She  intended,  perhaps,  to  show  them 
the  importance  of  that  privilege  by  withholding  it,  and  tp  allure 
them,  by  the  promise  of  restoring  it,  to  submit  to  her  authority. 
The  people  of  Kentucky,  indignant  at  the  deprivation,  laid  their 
complaints  before  congress.     In  bold  and  forcible  language  they 
asserted  their  rights,  by  the  laws  of  God  and  of  nature,  to  the 
free  use  of  that  noble  river,  and  demanded  that,  at  any  cost,  the 
acknowledgment  of  that  right  should  be  obtained. 

57.  At  length  Spain  became  involved  in  a  war  with  France. 
Embarrassed  at  home,  anc(  intimidated  by  the  unauthorized  pre 
parations  which,  under  the  auspices  of  Genet,  were  making  in 
Kentucky  to  invade  Louisiana,  she  intimated  her  readiness  to 
conclude  a  satisfactory  treaty,  should  a  minister  be  sent  to 
Madrid  for  that  purpose.     Thomas  Pinkney  was  accordingly 
appointed.     In  October,  1795,  a  treaty  was  signed,  securing  to 
the  citizens  of  the  United  States  the  free  navigation  c  f  the  Mis 
sissippi  to  the  ocean,  and  the  privilege  of  landing  and  depositing 
cargoes  at  New- Orleans. 

58.  Thus  were  adjusted  all  controversies  with  two  European 
powers,  which,  while  they  existed,  retarded  the  prosperity,  and 
disturbed  the  tranquillity  of  the  country ;  and  from  which,  at 
different  periods,  even  war  was   seriously  apprehended.     In 
1795,  a  treaty  was  also  concluded  with  the  regency  of  Algiers, 

which  tibs  republic  was  previously  at  war.     It  stipulated 


1793.]  ADMINISTRATION.  217 

that  the  United  States,  in  conformity  with  the  practice  of  other 
nations,  should,  as  the  price  of  peace,  pay  an  annual  tribute  to 
the  sovereign  of  that  country. 

59.  Within  the  last  two  or  three  years,  several  changes  took 
place  in  the  important  offices  of  the  nation.     On  the  first  day 
of  the  year  1794,  Mr.  Jefferson  resigned  the  office  of  secretary 
of  state.     He  had  performed  the  duties  of  that  office  with  ex 
traordinary  ability,  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  the  president. 
Having  been  minister  to  France  at  the  commencement  of  the 
revolution  there,  he  became  acquainted  with  its  prime  movers, 
and,  anticipating  from  their  exertions  the  diffusion  of  the  prin 
ciples  cf  liberty  and  the  renovation  of  the  government,  was,  in 
the  early  stages  of  its  progress,  its  enthusiastic  and  undisguised 
defender.     Of  the  republican  party,  he  was  considered  the  lea 
der,  enjoying  their  highest  confidence  and  warmest  attachment, 
He  was  succeeded  by  Edmund  Randolph,  of  Virginia. 

60.  On  the  last  day  of  January,  1795,  Mr.  Hamilton  retired 
from  the  office  of  secretary  of  the  treasury.     He  possessed  dis 
tinguished  talents,  and  had  exerted  those  talents  to  establish  or 
der  where  all  was  confusion,  and  to  raise  from  the  lowest  de 
pression  the  credit  of  the  country.     His  complete  success  great 
ly  exalted  his  reputation,  and  to  him  the  federalists  felt  a  sincer 
ity  of  attachment  equalled  only  by  that  entertained  for  Washing 
ton.     With  him  he  had  served  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and 
had  then  acquired  his  confidence  and  affection,  which  he  ever 
afterwards  retained.     Being  the  advocate  of  an  energetic  gov 
ernment,  and  averse  to  intrusting  much  power  with  the  people, 
he  was  peculiarly  obnoxious  to  the  republican  party.     He  was 
accused  of  partiality  to  England,  and  of  misconduct  in  office. 
After  the  closest  scrutiny,  his  official  character  was  acknow 
ledged,  by  his  enemies,  to  be  without  stain.     He  was  succeeded 
by  Oliver  Wolcott,  of  Connecticut. 

61.  At  the  close  of  the  year  1794,  general  Knox  resigned 
the  office  of  secretary  of  war,  and  colonel  Pickering,  of  Mas 
sachusetts,  was  appointed  in  his  place.     In  August  Mr.  Ran 
dolph,  having  lost  the  confidence  of  the  president,  and  having  in 
consequence  retired  from  the  administration,  Mr.   Pickering 
was   appointed  his  successor  in  the  department  of  state,  and 
James  M'Henry,  of  Maryland,  was  made  secretary  of  war.    No 
republican  being  now  at  the  head  of  any  of  the  departments, 
many  of  the  leaders  of  that  party  withdrew  their  support  from 
the  administration  ;  and  licentious  individuals,  in  their  abusive 
attacks,  dared  to  charge  even  the  president  with  corruption.  But 
the  confidence  of  the  people  in  his  integrity  and  patriotism  ex 
perienced  aot  the  slightest  abatement. 


219  WASHINGTON'S  [1798 

62.  The  conduct  of  France  towards  the  American  republic 
continued  to  be  a  source  of  increasing  trouble  and  vexation 
Mr.  Fauchet,  the  successor  of  Genet,  bore,  from  those  by  whom 
he  was  deputed,  the  strongest  assurances  of  friendship ;  but  en 
cmiraged  and  supported  by  a  numerous  party,  ardently  attached 
to  his  nation,  he  gradually  assumed  towards  the  administration 
the  tone  of  remonstrance  and  reproach.     He  charged  it  with 
sentiments  of  hostility  to  the  allies  of  the  United   States,  with 
partiality  for  their  former  foes,  and  urged  the  adoption  of  a  course 
more  favorable  to  the  cause  of  liberty. 

63.  The  American  government  was  in  fact  desirous  of  ful 
filling  all  its  duties  to  France,  and  of  conciliating  her  friendship. 
Mr.  Morris,  the  minister  to  Paris,  having  incurred  the  displea 
sure  of  those  in  power,  was  recalled  at  their  request,  and  his 
place  supplied  by  Mr.  Monroe  of  Virginia.     This  gentleman 
was  a  republican,  and  had  embraced  with  ardor  the  cause  of 
the  French  republic.     He  was  received  in  the  most  respectful 
manner  by  the  convention,  who  decreed  that  the  flags  of  the  two 
republics,  intwined  together,  should  be  suspended  in  the  legisla 
tive  hall,  as  a  mark  of  their  eternal  union  and  friendship. 

64.  Mr.   Adet  was  appointed  soon  after,  to  succeed  Mr. 
Fauchet.     He  brought  with  him  the  colors  of  France,  which 
he  was  instructed,  by  the  convention,  to  present  to  the  congress 
of  the  United  States.     They  were  received  by  the  president 
with  extraordinary  ceremonies,  transmitted  to  congress,  and  af 
terwards  deposited   in  the  national  archives.     In  the  house  of 
representatives,  a  resolution  was  unanimously  adopted,  expres 
sing  the  lively  sensations  which  were  excited  by  this  testimony 
of  the  existing  sympathy  of  the  two  republics,  and  their  hope, 
that  the  brilliant  and  glorious  victories  of  the  French  people, 
would  lead  to  the  perfect  establishment  of  their  liberty  and  hap 
piness. 

65.  But  France  required  of  the  United  States  more  than  pro 
fessions  and  hopes,  and  more  than  by  treaty  she  was  entitled  to 
claim.     She  wished  to  make  them  a  party  in  the  war  she  was 
waging  with  the  despots  of  Europe.     Failing  in  this,  and  jea 
lous  of  the  more  intimate  relations  contracted  with  her  enemy, 
she  adopted  regulations  highly  injurious  to  American  commerce, 
directing  her  cruisers  to  capture,  in  certain  cases,  the  vessels  of 
the  United  States.     In  consequence  of  these  regulations,  se 
veral  hundreds,  loaded  with  valuable  .cargoes,  were,  while  pro 
secuting  a  lawful  trade,  taken  and  the  whole  confiscated. 

66.  Believing  that  the  rights  of  the  nation  were  not  asserted 
Bnd  vindicated  with  sufficient  spirit  by  M«  Monroe,  the  presi 


1796.]  ADMINISTRATION.  219 

dent  recalled  him,  and  Charles  C.  Pinkney,  of  South  Carolina, 
was  appointed  in  his  stead.  In  the  summer  of  1796,  he  left  the 
United  States,  instructed  to  use  every  effort  compatible  with  na 
tional  honor,  to  restore  the  amicable  relations  which  had  once 
subsisted  between  the  sister  republics. 

67.  General  Washington,  having  at  the  sacrifice  of  his  own 
predilections,  devoted  a  great  portion  of  his  life  to  his  country  ; 
haying  successfully  conducted  its  armies  through  an  arduous  con 
flict  for  existence  ;  and  having  since  directed  its  course  through 
the  most  critical  period  of  an  experiment  cinder  a  free  constitu 
tion,  determined  to  retire  to  the  enjoyment  of  domestic  happiness 
and  rural  quiet.     In  September,  he  announced  this  determina 
tion  to  his  fellow  citizens,  and  feeling  for  them  all  the  solici 
tude  of  a  father  for  his  children,  he  published  at  the  same  time 
a  farewell  address. 

68.  From  long  experience,  he  had  acquired  an  intimate  ac 
quaintance  with  the  dangers  to  which  the  liberties  of  the  repub 
lic  were  exposed.     These  he  deprecated,  and  warned  his  coun 
trymen  to  shun,  with  all  the  impressive  energy  of  conviction,  and 
all  the  ardor  of  parental  affection.     He  besought  them,  especial 
ly,  to  frown  indignantly,  upon  the  first  dawning  of  any  attempt 
at  a  separation  of  the  union ;  to  discard  local  attachments  and 
sectional  animosities  ;  to  guard  against  the  excessive  indulgence 
of  the  spirit  of  party,  and  against  cherishing  a  hatred  of  particu 
lar  nations,  and  an  affection  for  others. 

69.  This  address  was  read  with  sentiments  of  profound  vene 
ration  in  every  part  of  the  union.     Some  of  the  state  legislatures 
directed  it  to  be  inserted  at  large  in  their  journals,  and  most  of 
them  passed  resolutions  expressing  their  respect  for  the  author, 
their  high  sense  of  his  exalted  services,  and  the  emotions  with 
which  they  contemplated  his  retirement  from  oftice. 

70.  To  fill  the  station  from  which  the  father  of  his  country 
Lad  resolved  to  retire,  the  two  great  political  parties  brought  for 
ward  their  chiefs.     The  federalists,  desiring  that  the  system 
of  measures  adopted  by  Washington  should  continue  to  be  pur 
sued,  and  dreading  the  influence  of  French  sentiments  and  prin- 
c'ples,  made  the  most  active  efforts  to  elect  John  Adams.     The 
republicans,  believing  their  opponents  less  friendly  than  them 
selves  to  the  maxims  of  liberty,  and  too  much  devoted  to  the 
British  nation  and.  to  British  institutions,  made  equal  exertions 
to  elect  Thomas  Jefferson. 

71.  The  result  was  the  choice  of  Mr.  Adams  to  be  president, 
and  Mr.  Jefferson  to  be  vice-president.     Released  from  public 

,  Washington  hastened  to  Mount  Yernon.     Having  estajj- 


220  ADAMS'S  [179<J. 

lished  his  fame  as  the  greatest  hero  and  most  distinguished 
statesman  of  the  age,  he  there,  devoting  his  time  to  the  cultiva 
tion  of  an  extensive  farm,  added  to  his  titles  of  renown  that  of 
the  most  industrious  and  intelligent  agriculturist  of  his  country. 


CHAPTER  XXV 

MR.  ADAMS'S,  MR.  JEFFERSON'S,  AND 
PART  OF  MR.  MADISON'S  ADMINIS 
TRATION.-DECLARATION  OF  WAR, 


MR.  ADAMS,  soon  after  the  commencement  of  his  presi 
dential  term,  received  from  Mr.  Pinkney  despatches  of  a  most 
disagreeable  and  alarming  nature.  The  Directory,  then  exer 
cising  the  executive  authority  in  France,  had  refused  to  accredit 
him,  declaring  their  determination  not  to  receive  another  minis 
ter  from  the  United  States,  until  they  had  fully  complied  with 
the  demands  which  had  been  made.  He  was  moreover  ordered, 
by  a  written  mandate,  to  quit  the  territories  of  the  republic. 

2.  Congress  were  immediately  convened,  and  the  despatches 
laid  before  them.     Their  proceedings  indicated  a  love  of  peace, 
but  also  a  firm  determination  to  yield  to  no  unjust  demand. 
Laws  were  passed  authorizing  the  president,  whenever  he  should 
deem  it  necessary,  to  detach  eighty  thousand  men  from  the  mili 
tia  of  the  United  States,  providing  for  an  increase  of  the  navy, 
and  for  augmenting  the  revenue  of  the  nation.     To  display  to 
France,  and  to  the  world,  his  desire  of  peace,  and  to  leave  no 
means  unattempted  to  preserve  it,  the  president  resolved  to  in 
stitute  another  and  more  solemn  mission.     General  Pinkney, 
John  Marshall,  and  Elbridge  Gerry,  were  accordingly  appointed 
envoys  to  the  French  republic,  and  were  instructed,  as  the  first 
had  before  been,  to  seek  a  reconciliation  as  the  representatives 
of  a  people  dreading  war  much,  but  the  sacrifice  of  honor  more. 

3.  These  also  the  directory  refused  to  receive.     They  were, 
hmvever,  addressed  by  persons  verbally  instructed,  by  Talley 
rand,  the  minister  of  foreign  relations,  to  make  them  proposals. 
Fu  explicit  terms,  these  unofficial  agent*  demanded  a  large  sum 


1801.]  ADMINISTRATION  221 

of  money  before  any  negotiation  could  be  opened.  To  this  insult 
ing  demand,  a  decided  negative  was  given.  A  compliance  was 
nevertheless  repeatedly  urged,  until  at  length  the  envoys  refuses 
to  hold  with  them  any  further  communication.  After  remaining 
several  months  at  Paris,  pressing  in  vain  to  be  received  and 
heard,  two,  who  were  federalists,  were  ordered  to  leave  France, 
but  Mr.  Gerry,  who  was  a  republican,  was  permitted  to  remain, 
and  was  invited  singly  to  enter  into  discussions  relating  to  the 
commencement  of  a  negotiation. 

4.  When  these  events  were  known  in  the  United  States,  they 
excited  general  indignation.     The  spirit  of  party  appeared  to  be 
extinct.     "  Millions  for  defence,  not  a  cent  for  tribute,"  re 
sounded  from  every  quarter  of  the  union.     The  treaty  of  alliance 
with  France  was  declared  by  congress  to  be  no  longer  in  force. 
Authority   was   given    for    capturing    armed    French   vessels. 
Provision  was  made  for  raising  immediately  a  small  regular 
army;    and,   in   case   events   should   render  it  expedient,   for 
augmenting  it.  A  direct  tax  and  additional  internal  duties  were  laid. 

5.  To  command  the  armies  of  the  United  States,  president 
Adams,  with  -the  unanimous  advice  of  the  Senate  appointed 
George  Washington.     He  consented,  but  with  great  reluctance, 
to  accept  the  office,  declaring,  however,  that  he  cordially  ap 
proved  the  measures  of  the  government. 

6.  No  opportunity  was  presented  of  testing  the  courage  and 
skill  of  the  American  troops.     At  sea,  a  desperate  action  was 
fought  between  the  frigate  Constellation,  of  38  guns,  commanded 
by  commodore  Truxton,  and  the  French  frigate  L'lnsurgente, 
of  40  guns.    The  latter,  although  of  superior  force,  was  captured. 
The  same  intrepid  officer,  in  a  subsequent  action,  compelled 
another  French  frigate  of  50  guns,  to  strike  her  colors,  but  she 
afterwards  escaped  in  the  night. 

7.  The  United  States,  in  arms  at  home  and  victorious  on  the 
*>ecan,  commanded  the  respect  of  their  enemy.     The  directory 
made  overtures  of  peace.     The  president  immediately  appointed' 
ministers,  who,  on  their  arrival  at  Paris,  found  the  executive 
authority  in  the  possession  of  Bonaparte  as  first  consul.     They 
were  promptly  accredited,  and  in  September,  1800.  a  treaty  was 
concluded  satisfactory  to  both  countries. 

8.  While  this  negotiation  was  in  progress,  the  whole  Ameri 
can  people  were  overshadowed  with  gloom,  by  the  sudden  death 
of  the  Father  of  his  country.     On  the  14th  of  December,  1799, 
after  an  illness  of  one  day  only,  general  Washington  expired. 
Intelligence  of  this  event,  a?  it  rapidly  spread,  produced  sponta 
neous,  deep,  and  unaffected  grief,  ^spending  every  other  thought, 
and  absorbing  every  different  feeling. 

T 


222  ADAMS'S  [1799. 

9.  Congress,  then  in  session  at  Philadelphia,  immediately  ad 
journed.     On  assembling  the  next  day,  the  house  of  representa 
tives  resolved,  "  that  the  speaker's  chair  should  be  shrouded  in 
black,  and  the  members  wear  black  during  the  session ;  and  that 
a  joint  committee  should  be  appointed  to  devise  the  most  suitable 
manner  of  paying  honor  to  the  memory  of  the  MAN  first  in  war, 
first  in  peace,  and  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen." 

10.  The  senate,  on  this  melancholy  occasion,  addressed  a 
letter   of  condolence  to  the  president  of  the  United    States. 
"  This  event,"  they  observe,  "so  distressing  to  all  our  fellow 
citizens,  must  be  particularly  heavy  to  you,  who  have  long  been 
associated  with  him  in  deeds  of  patriotism.     Permit  us,  sir,  to 
mingle  our  tears  with  yours.     On  this  occasion  it  is  manly  to 
weep.     To  lose  such  a  man,  at  such  a  crisis,  is  no  common 
calamity  to  the  world.     Our  country  mourns  a  father.     The 
Almighty  Disposer  of  human  events  has  taken  from  us   our 
greatest  benefactor  and  ornament.     It  becomes  us  to  submit 
with  reverence  to  HIM  who  maketh  darkness  his  pavilion. 

11.  "  With  patriotic  pride  we  review  the  life  of  our  WASH 
INGTON,  and  compare  him  with  those  of  other  countries  who 
have  been  pre-eminent  in  fame.     Ancient  and  modern  names 
are  diminished  before  him.     Greatness  and  guilt  have  too  often 
been  allied  ;  but  his  fame  is  whiter  than  it  is  brilliant.     The 
destroyers  of  nations  stood  abashed  at  the  majesty  of  his  virtues. 
It  reproved  the  intemperance  of  their  ambition,  and  darkened 
the  splendor  of  victory. 

12.  "Such  was  the  man  whom  we  deplore.     Thanks  to  God, 
his  glory  is  consummated.     Washington  yet  lives  on  earth  in  his 
spotless  example — his  spirit  is  in  heaven.     Let  his  countrymen 
Consecrate  the  memory  of  the  heroic  general,  the  patriotic  states 
man,  and  the  virtuous  sage  :  let  them  teach  their  children  never 
to  forget  that  the  fruits  of  his  labors,  and  of  his  example,  are 
ilieir  inheritance. " 

13.  Agreeably  to  the  report  of  the  committee,  and  the  unani 
mous  resolves  of  congress,  a  funeral  procession  moved  from  the 
legislative  hall  to  the  German  Lutheran  Church,  where  an  ora 
tion  was  delivered  by  general  Lee,  a  representative  from  Virginia. 
The  procession  was  grand  and  solemn,  the  oration  impressive 
and  eloquent.     Throughout  the  union  similar  marks  of  affliction 
were  exhibited.    A  whole  bereaved  people  appeared  in  mourning. 
In  every  part  of  the  republic,  funeral  orations  were  delivered, 
and  the  best  talents  of  the  nation  were  devoted  to  an  expression 
of  the  nation's  grief. 

14.  In  pursuance  of  the  law  enacted  in  1790,  a  place  had  been 
selected  OB.  the  Potomac,  a  few  miles  above_Mount  Vernon;  for 


1801.]  ADMINISTRATION.  223 

the  permanent  seat  of  the  national  government.  Within  a 
district  ten  miles  square,  which  was  called  the  District  of  Co 
lumbia,  a  city  was  laid  out,  to  which  the  name  of  Washington 
was  appropriately  given.  Public  buildings  having  been  erected, 
the  officers  of  government  removed  to  that  place  in  1800,  and  in 
November  of  that  year,  congress,  for  the  first  time,  there  com- 
snenced  its  session> 

15.  At  this  period,  a  presidential  election  again  recurred. 
From  the  time  of  the  adoption  of  the  constitution,  the  republican 
party  had  been   gradually  increasing  in  numbers.     The  two 
parties  being  now  nearly  equal,  the  prospect  of  success  inspired 
both  with  uncommon  ardor.     The  federalists  supported  Mr. 
Adams  and  general  Pinkney ;  the  republicans,  Mr.  Jefferson  and 
colonel  Burr.     The  two  latter  received  a  small  majority  of  the 
electoral  votes  ;  and  as  they  received  also  an  equal  number,  the 
selection  of  one  of  them  to  be  president  devolved  upon  the  house 
of  representatives.     After  thirty-live  trials,  during  which  the  na 
tion  felt  intense  solicitude,  Mr.  Jefferson  was  chosen.     Colonel 
Burr  received  the  votes  of  the  federalists,  and  lost,  in  consequence, 
the  confidence  of  his  former  friends.     By  the  provisions  of  the 
constitution,  he  became,  of  course,  vice-president. 

16.  The  causes  which  rendered  Mr.  Adams  unpopular  and 
led  to  a  change  in  the  administration  were,  his  apparent  coldness 
towards  the  French  revolution  ;  the  charge  that  the  federalists 
generally  were  partial  to  Great  Britain;  the  expenditure  of  mo 
ney  for  building  a  navy  and  for  other  purposes  alleged  to  be  im 
politic  or  useless ;  the  enactment  of  the  alien  law,  by  which  the 
president  was  authorised  to  compel  suspected  foreigners  to  leave 
the  country,  and  of  the  sedition  law  which  provided  that  the 
authors  and  publishers  of  false  and  malicious  accusations  against 
the  president  and  members  of  congress  should  be  prosecuted  and 
punished.     But  more  effectual  than  these  was  the  charge  that 
Mr.  Adams,  and  the  party  which  supported  him,  entertained 
political  opinions  less  favorable  to  liberty  than  those  of  the  party 
which  opposed  him. — By  deserting  a  man  so  distinguished  as 
Mr.  Adams  for  his  talents,  for  his  experience  in  political  affairs, 
and  for  the  important  services  which  he  had  rendered  to  his  coun 
try  in  the  revolutionary  struggle,  the  people  shewed  how  jealous 
they  were  of  the  liberty  they  had  obtained,  and  how  firmly  they 
were  determined  to  guard  it  from  even  possible  danger. 

17.  The  control  of  the  government  being  now  transferred  to 
the  republican  party,  they,  at  the  next  session  of  congress,  re 
pealed,  after  a  long  and  eloquent  debate,  a  law  altering  the  judi 
cial  system,  which  had  been  passed  at  the  close  of  Mr.  Adams's 
administration.     This  repeal  annihilated  th$  offices  of  sixteen 


224  JEFFERSON'S  [1802. 

iudges,  who  had  just  been  appointed.     At  the  same  session,  the 
internal  duties  were  also  abolished. 

IS.  A  second  census  of  the  people,  referring  to  1SOO,  watf 
completed  in  1801.  They  amounted  to  5,319,762,  having  m 
ten  years  increased  nearly  one  million  four  hundred  thousand. 
In  the  same  number  of  years  the  exports  increased  from  nineteen 
to  ninety-four  millions,  and  the  revenue  from  4,771,000  ti 
12,945,000  dollars!  This  rapid  advance  in  the  career  of  pros 
perity  has  no  parallel  in  the  history  of  nations,  and  is  to  be  attri 
buted  principally  to  the  institutions  of  the  country,  which,  se 
curing  equal  privileges  to  all,  give  to  the  enterprise  and  industry 
of  all,  free  scope  and  full  encouragement. 

19.  In  1802,  the  state  of  Ohio  was  admitted  into  the  union 
It  was  formerly  a  portion  of  the  Northwestern  Territory,  fop 
the  government  of  which,  in  1787,  an  ordinance  was  passed,  by 
the  continental  congress.  With  commendable  foresight  they 
provided  that  slavery,  the  source  of  weakness,  of  poverty,  and  of 
crime,  should  never  exist  in  that  extensive  and  fertile  region. 
This  is  doubtless  one  of  the  causes  of  the  unparalleled  rapidity  of 
its  population.  In  thirty  years  from  its  first  settlement,  the" 
number  of  its  inhabitants  exceeded  half  a  million.  The  state  of 
Tennessee,  which  was  previously  a  part  of  North  Carolina,  and 
lies  between  that  state  and  the  river  Mississippi,  was  admitted 
in  1796. 

20*  The  right  of  deposite  at  New-Orleans,  conceded  to  the 
citizens  of  the  United  States  by  Spain,  and  necessary  to  the 
people  of  the  western  country,  had,  until  this  period,  been  freely 
enjoyed.  In  October,  the  chief  officer  of  that  city,  prohibited 
the  exercise  of  it  in  future.  This  violation  of  a  solemn  engage 
ment  produced,  throughout  the  states  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky, 
indignant  clamor  and  violent  commotion.  In  congress,  a  propo 
sition  was  made  to  take  possession,  by  force,  of  the  whole 
province  of  Louisiana,  and  the  injured  people  of  the  west  were 
eager  for  permission  to  avenge  their  wrongs,  and  to  regain  their 
rights,  by  the  sword. 

21.  A  more  pacific  course  was  adopted.  Knowing  that  the 
province  had  been  ceded,  although  not  transferred,  to  France, 
the  president  instituted  a  negotiation  to  acquire  it  by  purchase. 
In  April,  1803,  a  treaty  was  concluded,  conveying  it  to  the 
United  States  for  fifteen  millions  of  dollars. 

2?  The  territory  thus  added  to  the  national  domain,  was  first 
disr^ered  by  the  French,  who,  in  1699,  began  a  settlement 
within  its  limits.  It  continued  a  colony  of  that  nation  untii 
1762,  when  it  was  ceded  to  Spain.  In  her  possession  it  re 
mained,  slowly  increasing,  in  population,  until  Or.tober,  1800 


1804.J  ADMINISTRATION.  225 

when  it  was  retroceded  to  France,  and  by  her  was  afterwards, 
us  has  been  related,  transferred  to  the  United  States,  The  in 
habitants,  a  mixture  of  French  and  Spaniards,  were  not  numer 
ous.  Its  boundaries  have  never  been  defined.  They  embrace, 
at  a  moderate  estimation,  a  territory  more  extensive  than  some 
of  the  most  powerful  European  kingdoms,  and  in  many  parts 
fhe  soil  is  exceedingly  fertile.  Its  acquisition  was  considered, 
oy  the  United  States,  of  the  greatest  importance,  as  it  gave  them 
the  entire  control  of  a  river,  which  is  one  of  the  noblest  in  the 
world. 

23.  Since  the  year  1801,  war  had  existed  between  the  United 
States  and  Tripoli,  one  of  the  states  of  Barbary,  situated  on  the 
coast  of  the  Mediterranean.     No  memorable  event  occurred  un 
til  1803,  when  a  large  squadron,  under  the  command  of  com 
modore  Preble,  was  despatched  into  that  sea.     On  arriving  be 
fore  Tripoli,  captain  Bainbridge,  in  the  frigate  Philadelphia,  of 
44  guns,  was  sent  into  the  harbor  to  reconnoitre.     While  in 
eager  pursuit  of  a  small  vessel,  he  unfortunately  advanced  so  far 
that  the  frigate  grounded,  and  all  attempts  to  remove  her  were 
in  vain.     The  sea  around  her  was  immediately  covered  with 
Tripolitan  gun-boats,  and  captain  Bainbridge  was  compelled  to 
surrender.     The  officers  were  considered  as  prisoners  of  war ; 
6ut  the  crew,  according  to  the  custom  of  Barbary,  were  treated 
as  slaves. 

24.  At  the  capture  of  this  frigate,  the  enemy  rejoiced  and 
exulted   beyond  measure.     Lieutenant  Stepnen  Decatur  con 
ceived  the  design  of  retaking  or  destroying  her.     Commodore 
Treble,  applauding  the  spirit  of  the  youthful  hero,  granted  him 
permission  to  make  the  attempt.     In  February,  1804,  he  sailed 
from  Syracuse,  in  a  small  schooner,  having  on  board  but  seven 
ty-six  men,  entered  undiscovered  the  harbor  of  Tripoli,  and  ad 
vancing  boldly  took  a  siation  alongside  the  frigate.     Perceiving 
the  crew  in  consternation,  Decatur  sprang  on  board,  his  men 
followed,  and  with  drawn  svroi  Js  rushed  upon  the  enemy.    The 
decks  were  soon  cleared,  some  being  killed,  and  others  driven 
into  the  sea. 

25.  A  heavy  cannonade  upon  the  fiigate,  from  the  batteries 
on  shore  and  the  corsairs  near,   was  now  commenced,  and 
several  vessels  of  war  were  seen  approaching.     She  was  set  on 
fire  and  abandoned,  none  of  the  party  being  killed  and  but  four 
wounded.     Throughout  all  the  piratical  states,  this  brilliant  ex 
ploit  exalted  the  reputation  of  the  American  arms.     The  presi 
dent,  in  reward  of  his  address  and  bravery,  promoted  lieutenant 
Decatur  to  the  rank  of  post-captain  in  the  navy. 

26.  While  the  squadron  remained  before  Tripoli,  other  deeds 


226  JEFFERSON'S  [1803, 

of  heroism  were  performed,  evincing  a  love  of  fame  and  a  devo 
tion  to  country  unsurpassed  in  Grecian  or  Roman  story.  The 
events  and  operations  of  this  war  shed  a  lustre  upon  the  Ame 
rican  name,  gave  experience  and  character  to  the  officers,  and 
prepared  them  to  acquire  greater  glory  in  a  contest  with  a  nobler 
foe.  They  were  equalled  however,  by  an  enterprise  on  land, 
bold  and  romantic  in  its  conception,  and  exhibiting,  in  its  execu 
tion,  uncommon  address  and  decision  of  character. 

27.  William  Eaton,  who  had  been  a  captain  in  the  American 
army,  was,  at  the  commencement  of  this  war,  consul  at  Tunis. 
He  there  became  acquainted  with  Hamet  Caramanly,  whom  a 
younger  brother  had  excluded  from  the  throne  of  Tripoli.     With 
him  he  concerted  an  expedition  against  the  reigning  sovereign, 
and  returned  to  the  United  States  to  obtain  permission  and  tbs 
*neans  to  undertake  it.     Permission  was  granted,  the  co-opera 
tion  of  the  squadron  recommended,  and  such  pecuniary  assist 
ance  as  could  be  spared  was  afforded. 

28.  To  raise  an  army  in  Egypt,  and  lead  it  to  attack  the 
usurper  in  his  dominions,  was  the  project  which  had  been  con 
certed.     In  the  beginning  of  1806,  Eaton  met  Hamet  at  Alex 
andria,  and  was  appointed  general  of  his  forces.     On  the  6th 
of  March,  at  the  head  of  a  respectable  body  of  mounted  Arabs, 
and  about  seventy  Christians,  he  set  out  for  Tripoli.     His  route 
lay  across  a  desert  one  thousand  miles  in  extent.     On  his  march, 
he  encountered  peril,  fatigue,  and  suffering,  the  description  of 
which  would  resemble  the  exaggerations  of  romance.     On  the 
25th  of  April,  having  been  fifty  days  on  the  march,  he  arrived 
before  Derne,  a  Tripolitan  city  on  the  Mediterranean,  and  found 
in  the  harbor  a  part  of  the  American  squadron,  destined  to  as 
sist  him.     He  learnt  also  that  the  usurper,  having  received  no 
tice  of  his  approach,  had  raised  a  considerable  army  and  was 
then  within  a  day's  march  of  the  city. 

29.  No  time  was  therefore  to  be  lost.     The  next  morning 
he  summoned  the  governor  to  surrender,  who  returned  for  an 
swer,  "  My  head  or  yours."     The  city  was  assaulted,  and  after 
a  contest  of  two  hours  and  a  half,  possession  gained.     The 
Christians    suffered    severely    and   the    general   was   slightly 
wounded.     Great  exertions  were  immediately  made  to  fortify 
the  city.     On  the  8th  of  May,  it  was  attacked  by  the  Tripolitan 
army.     Although  ten  times  more  numerous  than  Eaton's  band, 
the  assailants,  after  ^persisting  four  hours  in  the  attempt,  were 
compelled  to  retire.     On  the  10th  of  June  another  battle  was 
fought,  in  which  the  enemy \vere  defeated.     The  next  day  the 
American  frigate  Constitution  arrived  in  the  harbor,  which  so 
terrified  the  Tripolitans  that  they  fle<3  precipitately  to  the  desert, 


806.]  ADMINISTRATION.  227 

30.  The  frigate  came,  however,  to  arrest  the  operations  of 
Eaton,  in  the  midst  of  his  brilliant  and  successful  career.  Alarmed 
at  his  progress,  the  reigning  bashaw  had  offered  terms  of  peace, 
which,  being  much  more  favorable  than  had  before  been  offered, 
were  accepted  by  Mr.  Lear,  the  authorised  agent  of  the  govern 
ment.     Sixty  thousand  dollars  were  given  as  a  ransom  for  the 
unfortunate  American  prisoners,  and  an  engagement  was  made 
to  withdraw  all  support  from  Hamet.     The  nation,  proud  of  the 
exploits  of  Eaton,  regretted  this  diplomatic  interference,  but  the 
treaty  was  ratified  by  the  president  and  senate  ;  and  thus  ended 
the  war  in  the  Mediterranean. 

31.  Colonel  Burr,  having  lost  the  confidence  of  the  republi 
can  party,  became,  in  1804,  a  candidate  for  the  office  of  go 
vernor  of  New- York  :  the  federalists  generally  gave  him  their 
votes,  but  Mr.  Hamilton,  considering  him  an  unprincipled  po- 
litican,  openly  opposed  his  election.     The  choice  fell  upon  the 
rival  candidate.     A  duel  ensued  between  these  distinguished  in 
dividuals,  the  challenge  proceeding  from  Burr.     Hamilton  was 
mortally  wounded.     This  event  produced  a  strong  and  lively 
sensation  throughout  the  union.     At  the  next  presidential  elec 
tion,  which  occurred  in  the  same  year,  Mr.  Jefferson  was  elect 
ed  president,  and  George  Clinton  of  New- York,  vice-president, 
the  former  receiving  all  but  fourteen  votes. 

32.  Burr,  notwithstanding  his  brilliant  talents,  now  sunk,  for 
a  time,  into  merited  obscurity.     His  future  conduct  showed, 
however,  that,' while  unobserved  by  his  fellow  citizens,  he  had 
not  been  idle.     In  the  autumn  of  1806,  his  movements  in  the 
western  country  attracted  the  notice  of  government.     He  had 
purchased  and  was  building  boats  on  the  Ohio,  and  engaging 
men  to  descend  that  river.     His  declared  purpose  was  to  form  a 
settlement  on  the  banks  of  the  Washita,  in  Louisiana  ;  but  the 
character  of  the  man,  the  nature  of  his  preparations,  and  the  in 
cautious  disclosures  of  his  associates,  led  to  the  suspicion  that  his 
true  object  was  either  to  gain  possession  of  New-Orleans,  and 
erect  into  a  separate  government  the  country  watered  by  the 
Mississippi  and  its  branches,  or  to  iifirade,  from  the  territories  of 
the  United  States,  the  rich  Spanish  province  of  Mexico. 

33.  From  the  first  moment  of  suspicion,  he  was  closely  watch 
ed  by  the  agents  of  the  government.     At  Natchez,  while  on  his 
way  to  New-Orleans,  he  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  supreme 
court  of  the  Mississippi  Territory.     But  he  had  so  enveloped 
his  projects  in  secrecy,  that  sufficient  evidence  to  convict  him 
could  not  be  produced,  and  he  was  discharged.     Hearing,  how 
ever,  that  several  persons,  suspected  of  being  his  accomplice?, 
*>ad  been  arrested  at  New-Orleans  and  elsewhere,  he  fled  in  di*. 


22a  JEFFERSON'S  [1807 

guise  from  Natchez,  was  apprehended  on  the  Tombigbee,  and 
conveyed  a  prisoner  to  Richmond.  Two  indictments  were  found 
against  him,  one  charging  him  with  treason  against  the  United 
States,  the  other  with  preparing  and  commencing  an  expedition 
against  the  dominions  of  Spain. 

34.  In  August,  1807,  he  was  tried,  upon  those  indictments, 
before  John  Marshall,  the  chief  justice  of  the  United  States. 
Full  evidence  of  his  guilt  not  being  exhibited,  he  was  acquitted 
by  the  jury.     The  people,  however,  believed  him  guilty  ;   and 
by  their  desertion  and  contempt,  he  was  reduced  to  a  condition 
of  the  most  abject  wretchedness.     The  ease  with  which  his  plans 
were  defeated,  demonstrated  the  strength  of  the  government, 
and  his  fate  will  ever  be  an  impressive  warning  to  those  who,  in 
a  free  country,  listen  to  the  suggestions  of  criminal  ambition. 

35.  The  wars  produced  by  the  French  revolution  continued 
to  rage  in  Europe.     The  attempts,  made  by  the  neighboring 
kings,  to  compel  republican  France  to  resume  her  monarchical 
institutions,  had  not  only  been  resisted  and  defeated  by  her  in 
dignant  citizens,  but  they  had  followed  home  the  repelled  inva 
ders  of  their  country,  and  had  subdued  those  who  began  the 
war  with  the  hope  and  purpose  of  subduing  France.     The  na 
tion  had  necessarily  become  a  nation  of  soldiers,  and  one,  more 
daring  and  fortunate  than  the  others,  had  been  placed  at  their 
head  as  chief  of  the  republic.     By  his  extraordinary  talents,  and 
the  vast  means  subjected  to  his  single  will,  he  acquired  control 
over  most  of  the  European  kingdoms. 

36.  England,  however,  unsubdued  and  undaunted,  had  be 
come  as  pre-eminent  on  the  water  as  France  on  the  land.    Her 
powerful  navy  expelled  every  hostile  navy  from  the  ocean,  and 
rode  triumphant  in  every  sea.     America  profitted  from  the  de 
struction  of  the  ships  and  commerce  of  other  nations.     Being 
neutral,  her  vessels  carried  from  port  to  port  the  productions  of 
France  and  her  dependant  kingdoms  ;  and  also  to  the  ports  of 
those  kingdoms  the  manufactures  of  England.     Few  ships  were 
found  on  the  ocean  except  those  of  the  United  States  and  Great 
Britain. 

37.  The  latter,  having  always  found  it  impossible  to  man  her 
numerous  fleets,  by  voluntary  enlistments,  had  been  accustomed 
to  resort  to  impressment,  or  seizing  by  force  her  subjects  and 
compelling  them  to  serve,  as  sailors,  on  board  her  ships  of  war. 
Soon  after  the  peace  of  1783,  she  claimed  a  right  to  search  for 
and  seize  them,  even  on  board  of  neutral  vessels  while  travers 
ing  the  ocean.     In  the  exercise  of  this  pretended  right,  citizens 
of  the  United  States,  sometimes  by  mistake  and  sometimes  by 
design,  were  seized,  dragged  from  their  friends,  transported  to 


1807.]  ADMINISTRATION.  229 

distant  parts  of  the  world,  compelled  to  perform  the  degrading 
duty  of  British  sailors,  and  to  fight  with  nations  at  peace  with 
their  own.  Against  this  outrage  upon  personal  liberty  and  the 
rights  of  American  citizens,  Washington,  Adams,  and  Jefferson 
had  remonstrated  in  vain.  The  abuse  continued,  and  every  year 
added  to  its  enormity,  until  a  feeling  of  resentment  was  aroused 
worthy  the  best  period  of  the  Roman  republic. 

38.  But  not  in  this  mode  only  were  the  rights  of  the  United 
States  invaded  and  their  interest  sacrificed  on  the  ocean.     The 
carrying  trade  afforded  a  harvest  too  rich,  and  too  tempting  to 
British  cupidity,  to  be  long  enjoyed  unmolested.     American 
ships,  carrying  to  Europe  the  produce  of  French  colonies,  were, 
in  an  early  stage  of  the  war,  captured  by  British  cruisers,  and 
condemned  by  their  courts  as  lawful  prizes.     Several  European 
ports  under  the  control  of  France,  were  declared,  by  British  or 
ders  in  council,  dated  in  May,  1806,  to  be  in  a  state  of  blockade, 
although  not  invested  with  a  British  fleet,  and  American  vessels, 
attempting  to  enter  those  ports,  were  also  captured  and  con 
demned. 

39.  France  and  her  allies  suffered,  as  well  as  the  United 
States,  from  these  transgressions  of  the  laws  of  nations.     Her 
vengeance  fell,  not  so  much  upon  the  belligerent  inflicting  the 
injury,  as  upon  the  neutral  enduring  without  resenting  and  re 
pelling  it.     By  a  decree,  issued  at  Berlin  in  November,  1806, 
the  French  emperor  declared  the  British  Islands  in  a  state  of 
blockade,  and  of  course  authorized  the  capture  of  all  neutral 
vessels  attempting  to  trade  with  those  islands.     From  these 
measures  of  both  nations,  the  commerce  of  the  United  States 
severely  suffered,  and  their  merchants  loudly  demanded  of  the 
government  redress  and  protection. 

40.  In  June  1807,  an  event  occurred,  which  for  a  time  con 
centrated  upon  one  of  the  rival  nations  the  whole  weight  of  po 
pular  indignation.  The  frigate  Chesapeake,  while  near  the  coasts 
of  the  United  States,  and  unsuspicious  of  danger,  was  fired  upon 
from  the  Leopard,  a  British  ship  of  superior  force,  three  of  her 
men  were  killed  and  eighteen  wounded.     Being  unprepared  for 
action,  she  struck  her  colors,  was  then  boarded  by  a  detachment 
from  the  Leopard,  her  crew  mustered  and  four  of  them  forcibly 
carried  off  upon  the  pretence  that  they  were  British  deserters. 
The  truth,  upon  investigation,  was  ascertained  to  be,  that  three 
of  them  were  citizens  of  the  United  States,  had  been  impressed 
by  the  British,  and  had  afterwards  escaped  from  their  service. 

41.  This  insolent  attack  upon  a  national  ship, — this  wanton 
exercise  of  a  claii.i  derogatory  to  national  honor, — aroused  the 
spirit  of  the  republ  V.     The  distinctions  of  party  were  forgotten, 


230  JEFFERSON'S  [1808 

numerous  meetings  of  the  citizens  were  held,  and  all  concurred 
in  the  expression  of  a  determination  to  support  the  government 
of  their  country  in  its  efforts  to  obtain,  whether  by  negotiation  or 
war,  satisfaction  for  this  insulting  outrage. 

42.  The  president,  by  proclamation,  prohibited  all  British 
ships  of  war  from  continuing  in  or  entering  the  harbors  of  the 
United  States.     He  sent  instructions  to  the  minister  at  London 
to  demand  satisfaction  for  the  insult,  and  security  against  future 
aggression.     He  summoned  congress  to  meet  and  decide  what 
further  measures  should  be  adopted.     The  British  government 
promptly  disavowing  the  act  of  its  officer,  the  hostile  feelings 
which  had  been  excited  began  to  subside ;  but  delaying  to  rende? 
satisfaction,  and  refusing  to  adopt  adequate  measures  to  prevent 
a  continuance  of  aggression,  they  were  not  extinguished  nor  ap 
peased. 

43.  Bonaparte   having  declared   his  purpose   of  enforcing 
tvith  rigor  the  Berlin  decree ;   the  British  government  having 
solemnly  asserted  the  right  of  search  and  impressment,  and 
/laving  intimated  their  intention  to  adopt  measures  in  retaliation 
of  the  French  decree,  the  president  recommended  to  congress 
that  the  seamen,  ships,  and  merchandise  of  the  United  States 
should  be  detained  in  port  to  preserve  them  from  the  dangers 
which  threatened  them  on  the  ocean.     A  law  laying  an  in 
definite  embargo  was  in    consequence    enacted.     A  hope   to 
coerce  the  belligerent  powers  to  return  to  the  observance  of 
the  laws  of  nations,  by  depriving  them  of  the  benefits  derived 
from  the  trade  of  America,  was  doubtless  a  concurring  motive 
for  passing  the  law. 

44.  A  few  days  only  had  elnpsed,  when  information  was  re 
ceived,  that  Great  Britain  had  prohibited  neutrals,  except  upon 
the  degrading  condition  of  paying  a  tax  or  tribute  to  her:  from 
trading  with  France  or  her  allies,  comprising  nearly  every  mari 
time  nation  of  Europe.     This  was  followed,  in  a  few  weeks,  by 
a  decree  issued  by  Bonaparte,  at  Milan,  declaring  that  every 
neutral  vessel,  which  should  submit  to  be  visited  by  a  British 
ship,  or  to  pay  the  tribute  demanded,  should  be  confiscated,  if 
afterwards  found  in  his  ports,  or  taken  by  his  cruisers.     Thus, 
at  the  date  of  the  embargo,  were  orders  and  decrees  in  existence 
rendering  liable  to  capture  almost  every  American  vessel  sailing 
on  the  ocean. 

45.  In  the  New-England  states,  the  embargo,  withholding  the 
merchant  from  a  career  in  which  he  had  been  highly  prosperous, 
and  in  which  he  imagined  that  he  might  still  be  favored  of  for 
tune,  occasioned  discontent  and  clamor.     The  federalists,  more 
numerous  there  than  in  any  other  part  of  tho  union,  pronounced 


1809.J  ADMINISTRATION  231 

it  a  measure  unwise  and  oppressive.  These  representations, 
and  the  real  and  severe  distress  which  the  people  endured,  pro 
duced  a  rapid  change  in  their  political  opinions.  In  a  short 
t/me,  a  majority  became  federalists,  and  opposed  with  zeal  all 
the  measures  of  the  government. 

46.  In  the  fall  of  1808,  a  new  election  of  chief-magistrate  took 
place.     Mr.  Jefferson,  believing  that  no  person  should  hold  that 
office  more  than  eight  years,  and  desirous  of  confirming  the  ex 
ample  of  Washington,  had  previously  announced  his  intention 
to  retire  to  private  life.     James  Madison  was  elected  president 
and  George  Clinton  vice-president. 

47.  In  March,   1809,  congress  repealed  the  embargo,  and 
substituted  a  law  prohibiting  all  intercourse  with  France  and 
Great  Britain.     Bonaparte,  in  retaliation,  issued  a  decree,  at 
Rambouillet,  directing  that  all  American  vessels,  which  were 
then  in  the  ports  of  France  or  might  afterwards  enter,  should 
be  seized  and  confiscated. 

48.  In  the  nonintercourse  law,  a  provision  was  inserted,  that 
if  either  nation  should  revoke  her  hostile  edicts,  and  the  pre 
sident  should  announce  that  fact  by  proclamation,  then  the  law 
should  cease  to  be  in  force  in  regard  to  the  nation  so  revoking. 
In  April,  Mr.  Erskine,  the  British  minister  at  Washington,  en 
gaged,  on  the  part  of  his  government,  that  the  orders  in  council, 
so  far  as  they  affected  the  United  States,  should  be  withdrawn  on 
the  10th  of  June;  and  the  president  immediately  issued  the  pro 
clamation  prescribed  in  the  law. 

49.  This  arrangement  the  British  ministry  refused  to  ratify, 
declaring  that  Mr.  Erskine  had  no  authority  to  make  it.     Re 
calling  him,  they  appointed  Mr.  Jackson  his  successor.     In  a 
correspondence  between  this  gentleman  and  the  secretary  of 
state,  the  former  insinuated  that  the  American  government  knew 
that  Mr.  Erskine  was  not  authorized  to  make  the  arrangement, 
and  knew  of  course  that  it  would  not  be  binding  on  Great  Bri 
tain.     This  insinuation  was  distinctly  denied  by  the  secretary, 
but  was  subsequently  repeated,  in  an  offensive  manner,  by  Mr. 
Jackson.     He  was  immediately  informed,  that,  on  account  of 
his  indecorous  conduct,  no  other  communications  from  him  would 
be  received.     He  was  shortly  afterwards  recalled  by  his  govern 
ment. 

50.  The  nonintercourse  law  expired  in  May,  1810,  when  a 
proposition  was  made  equally  to  both  belligerents,  that  if  either 
would  revoke  its  hostile  edicts,  that  law  should  be  revived  and 
enforced  against  the  other.     In  August,  Bonaparte,  by  his  mi 
nister  of  state,  assured  Mr.  Armstrong,  the  American  envoy  to 
France,  that  the  Berlin  and  Milan  decrees  were  revoked,  the 


232  JEFFERSON'S  [1811. 

revocation  to  take  effect  on  the  first  day  of  November  ensuing. 
Confiding  in  this  assurance,  the  president,  on  the  second  day  of 
November,  issued  his  proclamation,  declaring  that  all  inter 
course  with  Great  Britain  was  prohibited,  and  that  an  unrestrain 
ed  commerce  with  France  was  allowed. 

51.  Great  Britain  having  expressed  a  willingness  to  repeal 
her  orders  whenever  France  should  repeal  her  decrees,  she  was 
now  called  upon,  by  the  American  envoy,  to  fulfil  her  engage 
ment.     She  objected,  that  the  French  decrees  could  not  be  con 
sidered  as  repealed,  a  letter  from  the  minister  of  state  not  being, 
for  that  purpose,  a  document  of  sufficient  authority.   In  answer 
to  this  objection,  proof  was  presented  that  the  French  admiralty 
courts  considered  them  repealed,  and  that  no  American  vessel, 
although  many  had  entered  the  ports  of  France,  had  been  sub 
jected  to  their  provisions.     Great  Britain,  however,  still  persist 
ed  to  enforce  her  orders. 

52.  For  this  purpose,  she  had  stationed  ships  of  war  before 
the  principal  harbors  of  the  United  States.     All  American  mer 
chantmen,  departing  or  returning,  were  boarded,  searched,  and 
many  of  them  sent  to  British  ports,  as  legal  prizes.     Impress 
ments  too  were  frequent,  and  the  British  officers,  entertaining 
exalted  ideas  of  their  naval  strength,  and  holding  in  contempt 
the  republican  flag,  exhibited,  on  all  occasions,  an  extreme  inso 
lence  of  behavior,  which  nations  as  well  as  individuals  expose 
themselves  to  incur,  by  long  and  patient  endurance  of  insult  and 
aggression. 

*"  53.  In  one  instance,  however,  their  insolence  was  deservedly 
punished.  Commodore  Rogers,  sailing  in  the  frigate  President, 
met,  in  the  evening,  a  vessel  on  the  coast  of  Virginia.  He  hail 
ed,  but  instead  of  receiving  an  answer,  was  hailed  in  turn,  and 
a  shot  was  fired  which  struck  the  mainmast  of  the  President. 
The  fire  was  instantly  returned  by  the  commodore,  and  conti 
nue  *  for  a  few  minutes,  when,  finding  his  antagonist  was  of  in 
ferior  force  and  that  her  guns  were  almost  silenced,  he  desisted. 
On  hailing  again,  an  answer  was  given,  that  the  ship  was  the 
British  sloop  of  war  Little  Belt,  of  18  guns.  Thirty-two  ot 
her  men  were  killed  and  wounded,  and  the  ship  was  much  dis 
abled. 

54.  Mr.  Foster,  successor  to  Mr.  Jackson,  arrived  at  Washing 
ton  in  the  summer  of  1811,  and  proposed  terms  of  reparation  for 
the  attack  on  the  Chesapeak.  These  were,  a  formal  disavowal 
of  the  act,  restoration  to  the  frigate  of  the  surviving  sailors  taken 
from  it,  a  pecuniary  provision  for  those  who  were  wounded,  and 
for  the  families  of  those  who  were  killed.  These  terms  were 
accepted  by  the  president. 


1311.J  ADMINISTRATION.  233 

55.  But  the  British  envoy  could  give  no  assurance  that  his 
government  was  disposed  to  make  a  satisfactory  arrangement 
of  the  subject  of  impressment,  or  to  repeal  the  orders  in  coun 
cil.     These  orders,  on  the  contrary,  continued  to  be  enforced 
%vith  rigor;  and  on  the  restoration  of  a  free  commerce  with 
France,  a  large  number  of  American  vessels,  laden  with  rich 
cargoes,  and  destined  to  her  ports,  fell  into  the  power  of  British 

misers.  Such  was  now  the  state  of  affairs,  that  the  United 
States  suffered  the  evils  of  war,  while  Great  Britain  enjoyed  the 
advantages.  Her  cruisers,  since  1803,  had  captured  nine  hun 
dred  American  vessels. 

56.  The  patience  of  the  nation  was  exhausted.     President 
Madison,  early  in  November,  1811,  called  congress  together, 
laid  before  them  the  state  of  foreign  relations,  and  recommended 
that  the  republic  should  be  placed  in  an  attitude  to  maintain,  by 
force,  its  wounded  honor  and  essential  interests.     The  repre 
sentatives  of  the  people,  whose  sentiments  and  feelings  they  ex 
pressed,  determined  to  act  in  accordance  with  the  views  of  the 
president. 

57.  Laws  were  enacted  providing  for  the  increase  of  the  re 
gular  army  to  35,000  men  ;  for  the  augmentation  of  the  naval 
establishment ;  empowering  the  president  to  accept  of  the  ser 
vices  of  volunteers,  to  make  a  detachment  from  the  militia,  aiid 
to  borrow  eleven  millions  of  dollars.     It  was  the  expectation  of 
many  that  Great  Britain,  witnessing  these  serious  preparations, 
would  recede  from  the  stand  she  had  taken. 

58.  Events,  however,  occurred,  while  congress  were  in  ses 
sion,   which  considerably  diminished   this  expectation.      For 
several  years,  the  Indian  tribes  residing  near  the  remote  lakes 
and  the  sources  of  the  Mississippi,  had  displayed  symptoms  of 
hostility,  murdering  a  number  of  whites  and  robbing  others  of 
their  property.     In  the  fall  of  1811,  general  Harrison,  with  u 
small  force,  was  sent  into  their  territories,  instructed  to  nego 
tiate  if  possible,  but  to  fight  if  necessary.     On  the  6th  of  No 
vember,  he  arrived  at  Tippecanoe,  their  principal  town,  where 
he  was  met  by  Indian  messengers,  with  whom  an  agreement  was 
made,  that  hostilities  should  not  take  place  before  the  next  morn 
ing,  and  that  then  an  amicable  conference  should  be  held. 

59.  Just  before  daybreak,  the  savages,  in  violation  of  their 
engagement,  made  a  sudden  and  furious  attack  upon  the  troops 
in  their  encampment.     Nothing  but  the  precaution  of  sleeping 
in  order  of  battle,  on  their  arms,  saved  them  from  total  defeat 
A  dreadful  slaughter  was  made ;  but  the  savages  were  finally  rs 
pulsed,  dispersed,  and  their  town  laid  waste.     A  strong  belif  *' 
wns  entertained,  founded  upon  credible  testimony,  that  they  had 


234  MADISON'S  ADMINISTRATION.        [1812. 

been  incited  to  hostility  by  British  agents  stationed  among 
them. 

60.  In  February,  1812,  John  Henry,  who  had  once  resided 
in  Canada,  communicated  to  the  president  the  fact,  that  in  1S09, 
he  had  been  employed  by  the  governor  of  that  province  ipor  a 
secret  mission  to  Boston,  the  metropolis  of  the  New-England 
states;  and  that  he  was  instructed  to  confer  with  the  disaffected, 
upon  the  subject  of  a  separation  of  those  states  from  the  union, 
and  their  forming  a  polical  connexion  with  Great  Britain.     He 
exhibited  documents  in  support  of  his  disclosures,  which  he  was 
led  to  make,  by  the  neglect  of  his  employer  to  reward  him  for 
his  services.     It  did  not  appear  that  he  had  succeeded  in  cor 
rupting  the  fidelity  of  any  individual ;  but  the  attempt,  in  a  time 
of  peace,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  most  amicable  professions,  not 
only  preserved  in  full  force  but  increased  the  previous  irritation. 

61.  Congress  continued  to  be  employed  until  the  20th  of  May, 
in  making  preparations  for  war,  still  cherishing  the  hope  that  a 
change  of  policy  in  Europe  would  render  unnecessary  an  ap 
peal  to  arms.     On  that  day,  the  Hornet  arrived  from  London, 
bringing  information  that  no  prospect  existed  of  a   favorable 
change.     On  the  first  of  June,  the  president  sent  a  message  to 
congress,  recounting  the  wrongs  received  from  Great  Britain, 
and  submitting  the  question  whether  the  United  States  should 
continue  to  endure  them  or  resort  to  war  ? 

62.  The  message  was  considered  with  closed  doors.     On  the 
18th,  an  act  was  passed  declaring  war  against  Great  Britain. 
The  measure  was  decidedly  condemned  by  a  considerable  por 
tion  of  the  citizens,  among  whom  were  many  honest  and  able 
men.     Exercising  the  undoubted  privilege  of  freemen,  they 
examined,  with  the  severest  scrutiny,  the  measures  and  motives 
of  the  administration.     They  asserted  that  the  war  was  unne 
cessary,  partial,  and  unwise :  that  it  was  unnecessary,  because, 
in  their  opinion,  a  satisfactory  adjustment  of  all  disputes  might 
have  been  obtained  by  farther  negotiation:  that  it  was  partial, 
because  France  had  given  greater  provocation,  in  proportion  to 
her  means  of  annoyance,  than  Great  Britain :  that  it  was  un 
wise,  because  the  nation  was  not  prepared  for  war;  because,  by 
declaring  it  against  almost  the  only  remaining  enemy  of  France, 
the  United  States  indirectly  but  powerfully  assisted  Bonaparte  in 
his  design  of  universal  conquest ;  and  because  the  expenses  and 
Bufferings  it  must  unavoidably  occasion,  would  more  than  coun 
terbalance  all  the  advantages  sought  to  be  obtained.   And  many,, 
passing  the  limits  of  candid  and  temperate  discussion,  indulged 
in  a  virulence  of  invective  of  which  no  government  should  he 
the  object  that  iis  not  manifestly  corrupt. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1812. 


THE  people  of  the  United  States  remembered,  with  pride, 
the  patriotism  and  bravery  exhibited  by  their  army  in  the  revo 
lutionary  war.  A  long  period  of  peace  and  prosperity  had  in 
creased  their  confidence  in  their  own  strength ;  and  the  belief 
was  generally  entertained,  that  victory  over  the  same  foe  would 
now  be  so  much  the  more  certainly  and  easily  gained,  as  the  na 
tion  was  more  rich  and  populous.  They  did  not  reflect,  that 
peace  had  impaired  the  military  energies  of  the  republic,  while 
their  enemy,  by  constant  exercise  in  arms,  had  acquired,  riot  only 
additional  strength,  but  greater  skill  to  use  and  apply  it. 

2.  From  the  veteran  officers,  who  had  acquired  fame  in  the 
former  conflict,  a  selection  was  made  to  fill  the  principal  posts  in 
the  new  army.     Henry  Dearborn,  of  Massachusetts,  was  ap 
pointed  major-general  and  commander-in-chief.     He  was  at  the 
battle  of  Bunker's  hill.     In  the  expedition  against  Quebec,  he 
served  as  a  captain  under  Arnold.     He  distinguished  himself  on 
these  and  other  occasions ;  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  bore  the 
commission  of  colonel.     He  held,  for  a  long  time,  the  office  of 
secretary  of  war,  and  discharged  its  duties  with  exemplary  in 
dustry  and  skill.     Thomas  Pinkney,  of  South  Carolina,  was  also 
appointed  major-general.  Among  the  brigadiers  were  Wilkinson, 
Hull,  Hampton,  and  Bloomfield. 

3.  At  the  time  of  the  declaration  of  war,  general  Hull  was 
also  governor  of  the  Michigan  territory,  of  which  Detroit  is  the 
capital.     On  the  12th  of  July,  with  two  thousand  regulars  and 
volunteers,  he  crossed  the  river  dividing  the  United  States  from 
Canada.     On  the  same  day,  he  addressed  a  proclamation  to  the 
Canadians,  tendering  them  the  blessings  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty,  and  assuring  them,  in  a  lofty  tone,  "  that  his  force  was 
sufficient  to  break  down  all  opposition,"  and  yet  was  but  the 
vanguard  of  one  much  greater.     It  appeared  to  be  his  purpose  to 
attack  Maiden,  and  thence  proceed  to  Montreal. 

4.  Had  the  attack  been  instantly  made,  success  would  have 
been  highly  probable.     A  month  was  wasted  in  ruinous  delay 
Distrust  and  contempt  expelled  confidence  and  attachment  from 
the  breasts  of  the  Canadians.     The  ardor  of  the  troops  began  to 
cool.     Maiden  was  reinforced  :  and  at  this  critical  moment,  in- 


236  MADISON'S  [1812. 

formation  was  received  that  Mackinaw,  an  American  post  above 
Detroit,  had  surrendered  to  a  large  body  of  British  and  Indians, 
who  were  rushing  down  the  river  in  numbers  sufficient  to  over* 
whelm  the  American  forces.     Panic  struck,  general  Hull  has 
tened  back  to  Detroit. 

5.  General  Brock,  the  commander  at  Maiden,  pursued  him, 
with  a  force  superior  in  number,  but  composed  of  militia  and 
Indians.     On  the  14th  of  August,  he  erected  batteries  opposite 
Detroit.     The  next  day,  he  began  a  cannonade  upon  the  Ameri 
can  fortifications  which  was  returned  with  precision  and  effect. 
On  the  16th,  the  enemy  crossed  the  river,  taking  post  about  three 
miles  above  the  city.     Meeting  with  no  resistance,  and  hearing 
that  some  of  the  American  troops  were  absent,  general  Brock 
resolved  to  march  directly  forward  and  assault  the  fort. 

6.  The  troops,  cool  arid  undaunted,  awaited  in  good  order  the 
approach  of  the  enemy,  anticipating  an  easy  victory.     To  the 
astonishment  of  all,  general  Hull  forbade  the  artillery  to  fire, 
and  hung  out  a  white  flag  in  token  of  a  wish  to  capitulate.     A 
correspondence   between   the   two   generals  was  immediately 
opened,  which  ended  in  the  surrender  of  the  army  and  of  the 
territory  of  Michigan. 

7.  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  indignation  of  the  soldiers 
and  citizens,  when  they  saw  themselves  delivered,  by  the  autho 
rity  of  one  man,  into  the  power  of  an  enemy  whom  they  supposed 
they  might  easily  have  conquered.     Many  believed  him  either  a 
traitor  or  coward.     An  event  so  disgraceful,  occurring  in  a 
quarter   where    success    was    confidently   anticipated,    caused 
throughout  the  union  the  greatest  mortification  and  amazement. 
Stung  by  disappointment,  all  united  in  censuring  general  Hull. 
His  greatest,  perhaps  his  only  fault,  was  want  of  decision  and 
energy. 

8.  The  people  of  Ohio  and  Kentucky  were  alarmed.    Nearly 
ton  thousand  citizens  made  a  tender  of  their  services,  and  n  part 
of  them,  placed  under  the  command  of  general  William  H.  Har 
rison,  marched  toward  the  territory  of  Michigan.     But  great 
and  numerous  were  the  difficulties  encountered  ;  the  volunteers 
were  unwilling  to  submit  to  the  wholesome  restraints  of  disci 
pline  ;   and  winter  arrived  before  any  important  undertaking 
could  be  accomplished.     Several  incursions  were  made  into  the 
country  of  the  savages,  who,  instigated  by  British  agents,  and  by 
a  celebrated  Indian  prophet,  and  commanded  by  Tecumseh,  a 
gallant  warrior,  had  become  almost  universally  hostile. 

9.  For  the  purpose  of  invading  Canada,  in  another  quarter, 
an  army  of  regulars  and  militia  was  assembled  on  the  northern 
frontier  of  Nenr-York.      ft  was  far  less  numerous  than  the 


1812.]  ADMINISTRATION.  237 

government  had  anticipated.  So  happy  was  the  condition  of  even 
the  poorest  class  of  American  citizens,  that  but  few  could  be 
induced  to  enlist  as  soldiers.  And  in  some  of  the  states  the 
plausible  doctrine  was  maintained,  that  the  officers  of  the  gene 
ral  government  have  no  power  over  the  militia,  until  called  into 
service  and  consigned  to  their  authority,  by  the  state  executive, 
and  that  even  then  they  cannot  be  compelled  to  march  beyond 
he  boundary  of  the  republic.  Several  governors  actually  with 
held  their  militia,  when  called  for  by  the  president,  and  thus  di 
minished  the  amount  of  one  species  of  force  upon  which  the 
general  government  had  relied. 

10.  General  Van  Rensselaer,  of  the  New- York  militia,  be 
ing  the  senior  officer  on  that  frontier,  had  the  command  of  these 
troops,  which  were  called  the  army  of  the  centre.     His  head 
quarters  were  at  Lewistown,  on  the  river  Niagara,  and  on  the 
opposite  side  was  Queenstown,  a  fortified  British  post.     The 
militia  displaying  great  eagerness  to  be  led  against  the  enemy, 
the  general  determined  to  cross  over  to  Queenstown.     The  first 
attempt  was  defeated  by  tempestuous  weather.     On  the  13th  of 
October,  a  party,  led  by  colonel  Van  Rensselaer,  effected  a  land 
ing,  although  opposed  by  a  British  force  stationed  on  the  bank. 
The  colonel  was  severely  wounded,  but  the  troops,  under  cap 
tains  Ogilvie  and  Wool,  advanced  to  storm  the  fort.  They  gain 
ed  possession,  but,  at  the  moment  of  success,  general  Brock  ar 
rived,  from  a  neighboring  post,  with  a  reinforcement  of  six  hun 
dred  men.     These,  although  the  most  numerous,  were  gallantly 
driven  back  by  the   American  troops.     In  attempting  to  rally 
them,  general  Brock  was  killed. 

11.  General  Van  Rensselaer,  who  had  previously  crossed 
over,  now  returned  to  hasten  the  embarkation  of  the  rear  divi 
sion.     To  his  astonishment,  those  who  had  lately  shown  such 
eagerness  to  meet  the  enemy,  now  utterly  refused  to  pass  beyond 
the  national  boundary.     He  entreated  and  remonstrated,  but  in 
vain.     Meanwhile  the  enemy,  having  received  another  rein 
forcement,  advanced  to  attack  the  Americans  in  the  fort.     A 
desperate  and  bloody  conflict  ensued,  of  which  the  militia  were 
calm  spectators.     In  the  end,  the  British  were  completely  victo 
rious.     Of  one  thousand  men,  who  crossed  into  Canada,  but 
few  effected  their  escape. 

12.  Soon  after,  general  Van  Rensselaer  retired  from  the  ser 
vice  and  was  succeeded  by  general  Alexander  Smyth,  of  Vir 
ginia.  In  a  turgid  address  to  the  "  Men  of  New- York,"  he  an 
nounced  that,  in  a  few  days,  he  should  plant  the  American  stand 
ard  in  Canada,  and  invited  them  to  share  in  the  danger  and  glory 
uf  the  enterprise.  His  force  was  increased,  by  those  who  obeyed 


238  MADISON'S  [1812. 

his  call,  to  4500  men.  The  morning  of  the  28th  of  No 
vember  was  assigned  as  the  time  for  crossing.  So  tardy  were 
the  movements  of  the  troops,  that  until  afternoon,  the  first  di 
vision  was  not  ready  to  leave  the  American  shore.  The  enemy 
appeared  in  force  on  the  opposite  bank ;  a  council  of  officers 
decided  that  it  was  inexpedient,  at  that  time,  to  cross ;  and  the 
troops  were  ordered  to  debark.  They  were  disappointed  and 
dissatisfied  ;  but  their  clamor  was  appeased  by  the  assurance  that 
another  attempt  would  speedily  be  made. 

13.  The  next  day,  they  received  orders  to  be  in  readiness  to 
embark  on  the  first  of  December.     But  their  first  disappoint 
ment  had  sensibly  damped  their  ardor.     At  the  appointed  hour, 
the  boats  were  not  ready  to  move  ;  and  when  ready,  but  1500 
men  were  found  willing  to  cross.     A  council  of  war  decided 
unanimously  against  proceeding,  and  again  the  troops  were  or 
dered  to  debark.     The  plan  of  invading  Canada  was  abandoned 
for  the  season.     The  blame  of  these  failures  was  attributed,  by 
the  soldiers,  to  their  commander ;  and  so  highly  were  they  ex 
asperated,  that,  for  several  days,  his  life  was  in  danger  from  their 
fury. 

14.  The  army  of  the  north,  which  was  under  the  immediate 
command  of  general  Dearborn,  was  stationed  at  Gre'e"nbush, 
near  Albany,  and  at  Plattsburg,  on  lake  Champlain.     From  the 
latter  post,  a  detachment  marched  a  short  distance  into  Canada, 
surprised  a  small  body  of  British  and  Indians,  and  destroyed  a 
considerable  quantity  of  public  stores.     Other  movements  were 
anxiously  expected  by  the  people  ;  but  after  the  misfortunes  at 
Detroit  and  Niagara,  the  general  deemed  it  inexpedient  to  en 
gage  in  any  important  enterprise. 

15.  Thus  ended  the  campaign  of  1812.     Although,  on  many 
occasions,  extraordinary  gallantry  had  been  displayed,  yet  no 
thing  was  accomplished,  and  the  losses  sustained  were  numerous 
and  heavy.     Those  who   approved  of  the  declaration  of  war 
felt  disappointed,  mortified,  and  dejected.     They  attributed  most 
of  the  misfortunes  of  the  country  to  the  conduct  of  the  federal 
ists,  whom  they  accused  of  endeavoring  to  prevent  enlistments 
into  the  army,  and  of  maintaining  the  most  pernicious  doctrines 
in  relation  to  the  militia.     The  federalists  on  the  other  hand,  at 
tributed  these  repeated  failures  to  the  imbecility  of  the  adminis 
tration,  and  to  the  unwise  selection  of  military  officers.    They 
assumed  a  bolder  tone  of  censure,  and  evinced  a  more  deter 
mined  spirit  of  opposition. 

16.  But  while,  on  land,  defeat  and  disgrace  attended  the  arm* 
of  the  republic,  on  the  ocean,  where  the  injuries  which  led  to  tht> 
war  had  been  inflicted,  they  gained  a  rich  harvest  of  victory  auw 


1812. J  '   ADMINISTRATION,  239 

glory.  Upon  the  declaration  of  war,  the  American  officers  and 
seamen  glowed  with  ardor  to  avenge  the  sufferings  of  their  im 
pressed  fellow-citizens,  and  to  vindicate  the  honor  of  the  repub 
lican  flag.  Those  ships  of  war,  which  were  ready  for  sea,  im 
mediately  sailed  in  search  of  the  enemy. 

17.  On  the  19th  of  August,  captain  Hull,  who  commanded 
the  Constitution  of  forty-four  guns,  descried  a  British  frigate. 
His  crew,  giving  three  cheers,  requested  to  be  placed  alongside 
of  their  antagonist.  For  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  the  latter  en 
deavoured,  by  skilful  manoeuvering,  to  obtain  the  advantage  of 
position.     Defeated  in  this,  she  advanced  towards  the  Constitu 
tion,  firing  broadsides  at  intervals.     When  she  had  approached 
within  half  pistol  shot,  a  tremendous  cannonade  burst  upon  her 
from  the  American  frigate.     In  thirty  minutes,  every  mast  and 
nearly  every  spar  being  shot  away,  she  struck  her  flag. 

18.  She  was  found  to  be  the  Guerriere,  of  thirty-eight  guns, 
commanded  by  captain  Dacres.     Of  her  crew,  fifty  were  killed 
and  sixty-four  wounded.     She  had  received  so  much  injury  that 
it  was  thought  to  be  impossible  to  get  her  into  port,  and  she  was 
burned.     The  injury  sustained  by  the  Constitution  was  slight ; 
of  her  crew,  seven  were  killed  and  seven  wounded.     Although 
she  carried  a  few  more  guns  than  her  antagonist,  yet  the  im 
mense  disparity  of  effect  clearly  demonstrated  the  superior  skill 
of  the  American  seamen.     Captain  Hull,  on  his  return  to  the 
United  States,  was  welcomed  with  enthusiasm,  by  his  grateful 
and  admiring  countrymen,  who  conferred  upon  him  those  ho 
nors  and  distinctions  most  dear  to  the  patriot  and  hero. 

19.  But  this  was  the  first  only  of  a  series  of  naval  victories. 
On  the  18th  of  October,  captain  Jones,  in  the  Wasp,  of  eighteen 
guns,  captured  the  Frolic,  of  twenty-two,  after  a  bloody  conflict 
of  three  quarters  of  an  hour.     In  this  action,  the  Americans 
obtained  a  victory  over  a  force  decidedly  superior.     On  their 
part,  but  eight  were  killed  and  wounded ;  on  that  of  the  enemy, 
about  eighty  !  On  the  25th,  the  frigate  United  States,  commanded 
by  captsin  Decatur,  encountered  and  captured  the  British  frigate 
Macedonian.     The  former  carried  a  few  guns  the  most,  but  the 
disparity  of  loss  was  astonishingly  great.     On  the  part  of  the 
enemy,  a  hundred  and  four  were  killed  and  wounded ;  on  that  of 
the  Americans,  but  eleven !  The  Wasp  was  unfortunately  cap 
tured,  soon  after  her  victory,  by  a  British  ship  of  the  line;  the 
United  States  brought  her  prize  safely  to  New- York. 

20.  A  fourth  naval  battle  was  fought,  and  a  fourth  victory 
gained,  on  the  29th  of  December.     On  that  day,  the  Constitu 
tion,  of  forty-lour  guns,  then  commanded  by  captain  Bainbridge, 
rgptnred  the  British  frigate  Java,  of  thirtv-eisjht.     Thp  r^i-uln* 


240  MADISON'S  ADMINISTRATION.        [1812. 

continued  more  than  three  hours.  The  Java  was  reduced  to  a 
wreck;  of  her  crew  one  hundred  and  sixty-one  were  killed  and 
wounded ;  of  that  of  the  Constitution,  thirty-four. 

21.  These  successive  victories  were  peculiarly  gratifying  to 
the  nation;  they  were  gained,  in  the  midst  of  disasters  on  land, 
and  by  that  class  of  citizens  whose  rights  had  been  violated : 
they  were  gained  over  a  people  claiming  to  be  lords  of  the  sea, 
whom  long  continued  success  had  rendered  haughty  and  insolent, 
and  who  had  confidently  boasted  that  the  whole  American  navy 
would  soon  be  swept  from  the  ocean. 

22.  Many  British  merchantmen  were  likewise  captured  by 
the  American  navy;  and  privateers,  issuing  from  almost  every 
port,  and  many  of  them  bearing  flags  inscribed  "  Free  Trade 
and  Sailor's  Rights,"  were  remarkably  successful.     The  num 
ber  of  prizes,  made  during  the  first  seven  months  of  the  war, 
exceeded  five  hundred. 

23.  In  the  autumn  of  this  year,  the  quadrennial  period  for  the 
election  of  president  and  vice-president  again  recurred.     The 
candidates  for  president  were,  the  incumbent,,  James  Madison  of 
Virginia,  and  De  Witt  Clinton  of  New- York ;  for  vice-president, 
Elbridge   Gerry,   of  Massachusetts,   and   Jared   Ingersoll,   of 
Pennsylvania.     Those  who  were  opposed  to  the  war,  supported 
Mr.  Clinton  and  Mr.  Ingersoll ;  and  they  were  joined  by  many 
who  believed  that,  should  the  former  be  elected  president,  and 
should  he  find  it  impracticable  to  make  an  honourable  peace,  he 
would  call  forth  the  resources,  and  direct  the  arms  of  the  repub 
lic,   with  more  decision  and   energy.     Great  exertions  were 
made  by  the  partizans  of  the  opposing  candidates,  and  the  pas- 
sions  of  the  people,  especially  in  the  middle  and  northern  states, 
were  highly  excited.     Of  the  electoral  votes  given,  Mr.  Madi 
son  received  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight,  and  Mr.  Gerry  one 
hundred  and  thirty-one,  and  were  elected.  Mr.  Clinton  received 
eighty-nine,  and  Mr.  Ingersoll  eighty-six. 


CHAPTER  XXYIL 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1813. 


AT  the  commencement  of  the  session  of  congress,  held  in  the 
autumn  of  1812,  the  president,  in  his  message,  stated  that,  im 
mediately  after  the  declaration  of  war,  he  communicated  to  the 
British  government  the  terms  on  which  its  progress  might  be 
arrested ;  that  these  terms  were,  the  repeal  of  the  orders  in  coun 
cil,  the  discharge  of  American  seamen,  and  the  abandonment  of 
the  practice  of  impressment ;  and  that  the  ministry  had  declined 
to  accede  to  his  offers. 

2.  He  also  stated  that,  at  an  early  period  of  the  war,  he  had 
received  official  information  of  the  repeal  of  the  orders  in  coun 
cil  ;  that  two  propositions  for  an  armistice  had  been  made  to 
him,  both  of  which  he  had  rejected,  as  they  could  not  have  been 
accepted  without  conceding  to  Great  Britain  the  right  of  im 
pressment. 

3.  The  rejection  of  these  propositions  was  approved  by  the 
national  representatives,  who,  far  from  abandoning  the  ground 
they  had  taken,  adopted  more  vigorous  measures  for  the  prose 
cution  of  the  war.     The  bounty,  and  the  wages  of  soldiers,  were 
increased.     The  president  was  authorized  to  raise  twenty  addi 
tional  regiments  of  infantry,  to  issue  treasury  notes,  and  to  bor 
row  money.     Provision  was  also  made  for  building  four  ships 
of  the  line,  six  frigates,  and  as  many  vessels  of  war  on  the  great 
lakes  as  the  public  service  might  require. 

4.  So  great  was  the  desire  of  the  citizens  of  the  western  coun 
try  to  regain  possession  of  the  territory  of  Michigan,  that,  in  or 
der  to  effect  it,  general  Harrison  resolved  to  undertake  a  winter 
campaign.     General  Winchester,  with  a  portion  of  the  western 
army,  proceeded  in  advance  to  Frenchtown,  a  village  on  the 
river  Raisin,  not  far  from  Detroit.     A  British  party  stationed 
in  the  village  was  attacked,  routed,  and  entirely  dispersed. 

5.  The  Americans  encamped  near  the  field  of  battle,  a  part 
of  them  being  protected  by  close  garden  pickets.     Although 
near  an  enemy's  post,  but  little  precaution  was  taken  to  prevent 
a  surprize.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  22nd  of  January,  they 
were  attacked  by  a  large  force  of  British  and  Indians,  the  former 
commanded  by  colonel  Procter,  the  latter  by  the  chiefs  Round 
head  and'Splitlog.     The  troops  in  the  open  field  were  thrown 


242  MADISON'S  [1813. 

into  disorder.  General  Winchester,  and  other  officers,  made  an 
ineffectual  attempt  to  rally  them.  They  fled,  but  while  attempting 
to  escape  were  mostly  killed  by  the  Indians.  The  general  and 
colonel  Lewis  were  made  prisoners. 

6.  The  troops  behind  the  pickets  maintained  the  contest  with 
undaunted  bravery.     At  length  colonel  Procter  assured  general 
Winchester,  that  if  the  remainder  of  the  Americans  would  imme 
diately  surrender,  they  should  be  protected  from  massacre  ;  but 
otherwise  he  would  set  fire  to  the  village,  and  would  not  be  re 
sponsible  for  the  conduct  of  the  savages.     Intimidated  by  this 
threat,  general  Winchester  sent  an  order  to  the  troops  to  surren 
der,  which  they  obeyed. 

7.  Colonel  Procter,  leaving  the  wounded  without  a  guard, 
marched  back  immediately  to  Maiden.     The  Indians  accom 
panied  them  a  few  miles,  but  returned  early  the  next  morning. 
Deeds  of  horror  followed.     The  wounded  officers  were  drag 
ged  from  the  houses,  killed  and  scalped  in  the  streets.     The 
buildings  were  set  on  fire.     Some  who  attempted  to  escape 
were  forced  back  into  the  flames.     Others  were  put  to  death  by 
the  tomahawk,  and  left  shockingly  mangled  in  the  highway. 
The  infamy  of  this  butchery  should  not  fall  upon  the  perpetra 
tors  alone.     It  must  rest  equally  upon  those  who  instigated  them 
to  hostility,  by  whose  side  they  fought,  who  were  able,  and  were 
bound  by  a  solemn  engagement  to  restrain  them. 

8.  The  battle  and  massacre  at  Frenchtown  clothed  Kentucky 
and  Ohio  in  mourning.     Other  volunteers,  indignant  at  the 
treachery  and  cruelty  of  their  foes,  hastened  to  the  aid  of  Har 
rison.     He  marched  to  the  rapids  of  the  Miami,  where  he 
erected  a  fort,  which  he  called  fort  Meigs,  in  honor  of  the  go 
vernor  of  Ohio.     On  the  first  of  May,  it  was  invested  by  a  large 
number  of  Indians,  and  by  a  party  of  British  troops  from  Maiden, 
the  whole  commanded  by  colonel  Procter. 

9.  Five  days  afterwards,  general  Clay,  at  the  head  of  1200 
Kentuckians,  made  an  attempt  to  raise  the  siege.     Dividing  his 
force  into  several  parties,  and  making  an  impetuous  onset,  he 
drove  the  besiegers  from  their  works.     His  troops,  supposing 
the  victory  complete  and  disregarding  the  orders  of  their  com 
mander,  dispersed  into  the  woods.     The  enemy,  returning  from 
their  flight,  obtained  an  easy  victory.     Of  the  Americans,  two 
or  three  hundred  escaped  into  the  fort ;  about  three  hundred 
were  killed  or  made  prisoners ;  the  remainder  fled  to  the  nearest 
settlements.     The  enemy  sustained  considerable  loss. 

10.  The  fort  continued  to  be  defended  with  bravery  and  skill. 
The  Indians,  unaccustomed  to  sieges,  became  weary  and  discon 
tented.     On  the  8th  of  May,  notmthslandirig  the  entreatjes  oi 


1813.]  ADMINISTRATION.  243 

their  chief,  TecumseL,  they  deserted  their  allies.  On  the  9th, 
the  enemy,  -Impairing  of  success,  made  a  precipitate  retreat. 
General  Harrison,  leaving  general  Clay  in  command,  returned 
to  Ohio  for  reinforcements ;  but  in  this  quarter  active  operations 
were  not  resumed  until  a  squadron  had  been  built  and  prepared 
for  action  on  lake  Erie. 

11.  At  Sackett's  Harbor,  on  the  northern  frontier,  a  body  of 
troops  had  been  assembled  under  the  command  of  general  Dear 
born,  and  great  exertions  were  made,  by  commodore  Chauncey, 
to  build  and  equip  a  squadron,  on  lake  Ontario,  sufficiently  pow 
erful  to  contend  with  that  of  the  enemy.     By  the  25th  of  April, 
the  naval  preparations  were  so  far  completed  that  the  general, 
and  1700  troops,  were  conveyed  across  the  lake  to  the  attack  of 
York,  the  capital  of  Upper  Canada. 

12.  On  the  27th,  an  advanced  party,  led  by  brigadier-general 
Pike,  who  was  born  in  a  camp  and  bred  a  soldier  from  his  birth, 
landed,  although  opposed,  at  the   water's  edge,  by  a  superior 
force.     After  a  short  but  severe  conflict,  the  enemy  were  driven 
to  their  fortifications.    The  rest  of  the  troops  having  landed,  the 
whole  party  pressed  forward,  carried  the  first  battery  by  assault, 
and  were  moving  towards  the  main  works,  when  the  enemy's 
magazine  blew  up,  with  a  tremendous  explosion,  hurling  upon 
the  advancing  troops  immense  quantities  of  stone  and  timber. 

13.  Numbers  were  killed,  the  gallant  Pike  received  a  mortal 
wound  ;  the  troops  halted  for  a  moment,  but  recovering  from  the 
shock,  again  pressed  forward  and  soon  gained  possession  of  the 
town.     Of  the  British  troops,  one  hundred  were  killed,  nearly 
three  hundred  were  wounded ,  and  the  same  number  made  pri 
soners.     Of  the  Americans,  three  hundred  and  twenty  were 
killed  and  wounded,  and  nearly  all  of  them  by  the  explosion  of 
the  magazine.     The  flag  which  waved  over  the  fort  was  carried 
to  the  dying  Pike ;  at  his  desire,  it  was  placed  under  his  head, 
when,  with  the  smile  of  triumph  on  his  lips,  he  expired.- 

14.  The  object  of  the  expedition  attained,  the  squadron  and 
troops  returned  to  Sackett's  Harbor,  whence,  the  wounded  and 
prisoners  being  landed  and  other  troops  taken  on  board,  it  sailed 
to  Fort  George,  at  the  head  of  the  Lake.     After  a  warm  en 
gagement,  the  enemy  abandoned,  and  the  Americans  entered  the 
fort.     The  i  jgHives  retired  to  the  heights,  at  the  head  of  Bur 
lington  bay.     On  their  retreat,  they  were  joined  by  a  detach 
ment  from  fort  Erie  and  Chippeway.     Two  brigades,  under 
generals  Chandler  and  Winder,  were  despatched  in  pursuit.  On 
the  evening  of  the  5th  of  June,  they  encamped  at  Stoney  Creek, 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  enemy,  who?  considering  their  gituatiou 


244  MADISON'S  [1813. 

desperate,  turned  upon  their  pursuers  and  attacked  them  in  the 
night. 

15.  The  Americans  received  them  with  coolness ;  but  such 
was  the  darkness,  that  general  Chandler,  intending  to  place  him 
self  at  the  head  of  his  artillery,  threw  himself  into  the  midst  of 
a  British  party.     A  few  minutes  afterwards,  the  same  mistake 
was  committed  by  general  Winder.     Satisfied  with  the  capture 
of  these  officers,  and  a  few  other  prisoners,  the  enemy  made  a 
precipitate  retreat.      The  American  troops  returned  to   fort 
George.     This  misfortune  was  soon  followed  by  another.  Lieu 
tenant-colonel  Boerstler,  having  been  sent,  with  500  men,  to  dis 
perse  a  body  of  the  enemy  collected  at  the  Beaver  Dams,  was 
surrounded,  and  the  whole  detachment  made  prisoners. 

16.  While  the  greater  part  of  the  American  army  was  thua 
employed  in  Canada,  the  British  made  an  attack  upon  the  impor 
tant  post  of  Sackett's  Harbor.     On  the   27th  of  May,  their 
squadron  appeared  before  the  town.     Alarm  guns  instantly  as 
sembled  the  citizens  of  the  neighborhood.      General  Brown,  of 
*he  New- York  militia,  commanded  in  chief,  his  whole  force 
amounting  to  about  one  thousand  men.     By  his  orders,  a  slight 
breast  work  was  hastily  thrown  up,  at  the  only  place  where  the 
enemy  could  land.     Behind  this,  he  placed  the  militia,  the  regu 
lars  under  colonel  Backus  forming  a  second  line. 

17.  On  the  morning  of  the  29th,  one  thousand  British  troops 
landed  from  the  squadron.     They  advanced  toward  the  breast 
work.     The  militia,  seized  with  a  sudden  panic,  fled  in  confu 
sion.     Colonel  Mills,  in  a  vain  attempt  to  rally  them,  was  mor 
tally  wounded.     The  regulars,  after  a  spirited  resistance,  were 
compelled  to  retire  towards  the  town,  but  in  their  retreat  they 
took  possession  of  the  houses  on  the  road.     From  these  coverts 
they  poured  so  destructive  a  fire  upon  the  British  column,  that 
ic  halted  and  fell  back.     General  Brown,  by  a  stratagem,  con 
verted  this  slight  check  into  a  precipitate  flight.     Collecting  the 
panic  struck  militia,  he  directed  their  course  along  a  road,  which, 
while  it  led  from  the  village,  appeared  to  the  British  commander 
to  lead  to  the  place  of  landing.    Perceiving  them  marching  with 
great  speed,  he  supposed  that  their  object  was  to  cut  off  his  re 
treat,  and  re-embarked  so  hastily  as  to  leave  behind  most  of  his 
wounded.    General  Brown,  in  recompense  for  his  services,  was 
appointed  a  brigadier  in  the  regular  army. 

18.  Meanwhile,  upon  the  sea  coast,  a  distressing  and  preda 
tory  war  was  carried  on,  by  large  detachments  from  the  power 
ful  navy  of  Great  Britain.     One  squadron,  stationed  in  Dela 
ware  bay,  captured  and  burned  every  merchant  vessel  which 


3813.]  ADMINISTRATION.  245 

came  within  its  reach.  The  inhabitants  of  Lewiston,  in  the 
state  of  Delaware,  having  refused  to  sell  provisions  to  the  ene 
my,  the  village  was  bombarded  and  several  attempts  were  made 
to  land,  but  they  were  defeated  by  the  militia. 

19.  Early  in  the  spring,  another  and  more  powerful  squadron 
arrived  in  Chesapeake  bay.     It  was  commanded  by  admiral 
Cockburn,  who,  departing  from  the  usual  modes  of  honourable 
warfare,  directed  his  efforts  principally  against  unoffending  citi 
zens  and  peaceful  villages.     The  farm-houses  and  gentlemen's 
eeats  near  the  shore  were  plundered,  arid  the  cattle  driven  away 
or  wantonly  slaughtered.  Frenchtown,  Havre  de  Grace,  Frede- 
ricktown,  and  Georgetown  -were  sacked  and  burned.     Norfolk 
was  saved  from  a  similar  fate,  by  the  determined  bravery  of  a. 
small  force  stationed  on  Craney  Island,  in  the  harbor.     A  furi 
ous  attack  was  made  upon  Hampton,  which,  notwithstanding  the 
gallant  resistance  of  its  small  garrison,  was  captured,  and  the 
unfortunate  inhabitants  suffered  all  which  a  brutal  and  unres 
trained  soldiery  *ould  inflict. 

20.  The  ocean,  in  the  mean  time,  had  been  the  theatre  of 
sanguinary  conflicts,  in  which  the  victors  gained  untarnished 
laurels.     Captain  Lawrence,  in  the  sloop  of  war  Hornet,  dis 
covering,  in  the  neutral  port  of  San  Salvador,  a  British  sloop  of 
war  of  superior  force,  challenged  her  commander  to  meet  him 
at  sea.  The  challenge  being  declined,  Captain  Lawrence  blocka 
ded  the  port  until  forced  by  a  ship  of  the  line  to  retire. 

21.  Soon  after,  on  the,  23d  of  February,  the  Hornet  met  the 
British  brig  Peacock,  of  about  equal  force.     A  fierce  combat 
ensued.     In  less  than  fifteen  minutes,  the  Peacock  struck  her 
colors,  displaying,  at  the  same  time,  a  signal  of  distress.     The 
victors  hastened  to  the  relief  of  the  vanquished,  and  the  same 
strength  which  had  been  exerted  to  conquer  was  now  exerted 
to  save.     Their  efforts  were  but  partially  successful.     She  sunk 
before  all  her  crew  could  be  removed,  carrying  down  nine  Bri 
tish  seamen  and  three  brave  and  generous  Americans.     In  the 
battle,  the  loss  of  the  Hornet  was  but  one  killed  and  two  wound 
ed;  that  of  the  Peacock  was  never  ascertained. 

22.  On  his  return  to  the  United  States,  captain  Lawrence 
was  promoted  to  the  command  of  the  frigate  Chesapeake,  then 
in  the  Harbor  of  Boston.     For  several  weeks,  the  British  fri 
gate  Shannon,  of  equal  force  but  having  a  selected  crew,  had 
been  cruising  before  the  port  ;  and  captain  Brook,  her  comman 
der,  had  announced  his  wish  to  meet,  in  single  combat,  an 
American  frigate.     Inflamed  by  this  challenge,  captain  Law 
rence,  although  his  crew  was  just  enlisted,  and  his  offirura  were 

X  2 


246  MADSION'S  [1813 

strangers  to  him  and  to  each  other,  set  sail,  on  the  first  of  June, 
in  pursuit  of  the  Shannon. 

23.  Towards  evening  of  the  same  day,  they  met,  and  in 
stantly  engaged,  with  unexampled  fury.     In  a  very  few  min 
utes,  and  in  quick  succession,  the  sailing  master  of  the  Chesa 
peake  was  killed,  captain  Lawrence  and  three  Lieutenants  were 
severely  wounded,  her  rigging  was  so  cut  to  pieces  that  she  fell 
on  board  the  Shannon,  her  chest  of  arms  blew  up,  captain  Law 
rence  received  a  second  and  mortal  wound  and  was  carried  be 
low  ;  at  this  instant,  the  position  of  the  ships  being  favorable, 
captain  Brook,  at  the  head  of  his  marines,  gallantly  boarded  the 
Chesapeake,  when  every  officer  who  could  take  command  being 
killed   or  wounded,  resistance  ceased,  and  the  American  flag 
was  struck  by  the  enemy. 

24.  That  fortune  favoured  the  Shannon  cannot  be  doubted. 
That  the  event  would  have  been  the  same  had  fortune  favoured 
neither,  is  rendered  probable  by  the  astonishing  effect  of  her 
fire.     This  unexpected  defeat  impelled  the  Americans  to  seek 
for  circumstances  consoling  to  their  pride,  and  in  the  journals  of 
the  day,  many  such  Were  stated  to  have  preceded  and  attended 
the  action.     But  nothing  could  allay  their  grief  at  the  fall  of  the 
youthful  and  intrepid  Lawrence.     His  previous  victory  and 
magnanimous  conduct  had  rendered  him  the  favourite  of  the 
nation,  and  he  was  lamented  with  sorrow,  deep,  sincere,  and 
lasting.     When  carried  below,  lie  was  asked  if  the  coloi-s  should 
be  struck.     "No,"  he  replied,  "they  shall  wave  while  I  live." 
When  the  fate  of  the  ship  was  decided,  his  proud  spirit  waij 
broken.      He  became  delirious  from   excess  of   mental   and 
bodily  suffering.     Whenever  able  to  speak,  he  would  exclaim, 
"Don't  give  up  the  ship!"  an  expression  consecrated  by  his 
countrymen  ;  and  he  uttered  but  few  other  words  during  the 
four  days  that  he  survived  his  defeat. 

25.  This   victory  was  not  achieved  without   loss.     Of  the 
crew  of  the   Shannon,  twenty-four  were   killed    and   fifty-six 
wounded.     Of  that  of  the  Chesapeake,  forty-eight  were  kille.l 
and  nearly  one  hundred  wounded.     Great  was  the  exultation  of 
the  enemy.     Victories  over  the  frigates  of  other  nations  were 
occurrences  too  common  to  excite  emotion;  but  the  capture  of 
an  American  frigate  was  considered  a  glorious  epoch  in  the 
naval  history  of  Great  Britain.     The  honors  and  rewards  be 
stowed  upon  captain  Brook  were  such  as  ha,d  never  before  been 
received  but  by  the  conquerer  of  a  squadron.     These  demon 
strations  of  triumph  were  inadvertent  confessions  of  American 
superiority ;  and  were,  to  the  vanquished  themselves,  sources  of 
triumph  and  consolation. 


1813.]  ADMINISTRATION.  247 

26.  The  next  encounter  at  sea  was  between  the  American 
brig  Argus  and  the  British  brig  Pelican.     The  latter  was  of 
superior  force,  and  was  victorious.     Soon  after,  the  American 
brig  Enterprise,  commanded  by  lieutenant  Burrows,  captured  the 
British  brig  Boxer,  commanded  by  captain  Blyth.     These  ves 
sels  were  of  equal  force,  but  the  greater  effect  of  the  fire  of  the 
Enterprise  furnished   to  the  Americans  another  proof  of  the 
puperior  skill  of  their  seamen.     Both  commanders  were  killed 
in  the  action,  and  were  buried,  each  by  the  other's  side,  in 
Portland. 

27.  The  events  of  the  war  again  call  our  attention  to  the 
northwestern  frontier.     While  each  nation  was  busily  employed 
in  equipping  a  squadron  on  lake  Erie,  general  Clay  remained 
inactive  at  fort  Meigs.     About  the  last  of  July,  a  large  number 
of  British  and  Indians  appeared  before  the  fort,  hoping  to  entice 
the  garrison  to  a  general  action  in  the  field.    After  waiting  a  few 
days  without  succeeding,  they  decamped,  and  proceeded  to  fort 
Stephenson,  on  the  river  Sandusky.     This  fort  was  little  more 
than  a  picketing  surrounded  by  a  ditch  ;  and  the  garrison  con 
sisted  of  but  160  men,  who  were  commanded  by  major  Croghan, 
a  youth  of  twenty  one.     On  the  first  of  August,  it  was  invested 
by  500  regulars  and  800  Indians. 

28.  After  a  cannonade,  which  continued  two  days,  the  enemy, 
in  the  evening,  supposing  a  breach  had  been  made,  advanced  to 
assault  the  works.    Anticipating  this,  major  Croghan  had  planted 
a  six  pounder,  the  only  piece  of  cannon  in  the  fort,  in  a  position 
to  enfilade  the  ditch.     It  was  loaded  with  grape  shot  and  slugs, 
and  was  discharged  the  instant  the  assailants  arrived  before  it. 
The  British  commander  and  many  of  his  men  were  killed,  and 
many  others  severely  wounded.     The  remainder   in  haste  and 
disorder,  retreated  to  their  former  position,  and  at  dawn  of  day 
retired  to  Maiden.     The  youthful  Croghan,  for  his  valor  and 
good  conduct,  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  colonel. 
He  and  his  brave  companions  received  the  thanks  of  congress  ; 
and  to  evince  their  respect  for  his  virtues,  the  ladies  of  Chillicothe 
presented  to  him  an  elegant  sword. 

29.  In  the  mean  time,  by  the  exertions  of  commodore  Perry, 
an  American  squadron  had  been  prepared  for  service  on  lake 
Erie.     It  consisted  of  nine  small  vessels,  carrying  in  all  fifty-four 
guns.     A  British  squadron  had  also  been  built  and  equipped, 
under  the  superintendence  of  commodore  Barclay.     It  consisted 
of  six  vessels  mounting  63  guns. 

30.  Commodore  Perry,  immediately  sailing,  offered  battle  to 
bis  adversary.     On  the  tenth  of  September,  the  British  com 
mander,  having  the  wind  in  his  favor,  left  the  harbor  of  Maiden, 


218  MADISON'S  [1813 

to  accept  the  offer.  In  a  few  hours,  the  wind  shifted,  giving  the 
Americans  the  advantage.  Perry,  forming  the  line  of  battle, 
hoisted  his  flag,  on  which  were  inscribed  the  words  of  the  dying 
Lawrence,  "  Don't  give  up  the  ship."  Loud  huzzas  from  a'l 
the  vessels  proclaimed  the  animation  with  which  this  motto  in 
spired  their  patriotic  crews. 

31.  About  noon,  the  firing  commenced;  but  the  wind  being 
light,  the  Lawrence,  the  commodore's  flag  ship,  was  the  only 
American  vessel  that  could,  at  first,  engage  in  close  action.    For 
two  hours,  she  contended  alone  with  two  vessels,  each  nearly 
her  equal  in  force.     All  but  seven  of  her  crew  were  either  killed 
or  wounded,  and  she,  by  the  damage  she  had  received,  was  ren 
dered  wholly  unmanageable.     The  wind  springing  up,  captain 
Elliot  was  at  length  enabled  to  bring  the  Niagara  into  action. 
To  this  ship,  commodore  Perry,  sailing  in  an  open  boat  through 
the  midst  of  the  fire,  transferred  his  flag.     Again  the  combat 
raged  with  undiminished  fury.     In  a  short  time,  one  of  the 
British  vessels  surrendered,  and  soon  after  another ;  and  the  rest 
of  the  American  squadron  now  joining  in  the  action,  the  victory 
was  rendered  decisive  and  complete.     At  four  o'clock,  the  brave 
and  fortunate  commander  despatched  to  general  Harrison,  at  fort 
Meigs,  this  laconic  epistle  :  "  We  have  met  the  enemy,  and  they 
are  ours." 

32.  Great  was  the  joy  which  this  brilliant  victory  occasioned 
throughout  the  union.     That  it  was  achieved  over  a  superior 
force  ;  that  it  was  the  first  ever  gained  over  a  squadron ;  that  it 
was  entirely  decisive  ;  that  it  opened  the  way  to  the  recovery  of 
all  that  had  been  lost  by  the  defeat  of  general  Hull, — were  cir 
cumstances  which  threw  every  other  victory  into  the  shade,  and 
cast  the  brightest  lustre  upon  the  characters  of  the  heroes  who 
had  gained  it.     At  every  place  that  he  visited,  the  gallant  Perry 
received  the  most  flattering  proofs  of  a  nation's  gratitude  and 
love. 

33.  As  soon  as  general  Harrison,  who  had  been  joined  by 
governor  Shelby  with  a  large  body  of  Kentucky  militia,  received 
intelligence  of  this  victory,  he  hastened  to  the  lake,  and  was  con 
veyed  by  the  vessels  to  Maiden.     The  British  commander,  an 
ticipating  this  movement,  had  abandoned  that  place,  which,  on 
the  28th  of  September,  was  occupied,  without  opposition,  by  the 
American  army. 

34.  The  enemy,  passing  Detroit  in  their  retreat,  ascended  the 
river  Thames,  to  the  Moravian  villages.     They  were  pursued 
by  general  Harrison,  and,  on  the  5th  of  October,  brought  to 
action.     His  force  being  greatly  superior,  a  complete  victory 
was  easily  and  speedily  gained.     Six  hundred,  nearly  the  whole 


1813.]  ADMINISTRATION.  249 

of  the  party,  were  made  prisoners  ;  Tecumseh,  the  celebrated 
Indian  chief  was  killed ;  and  all  the  posts  that  had  been  surren 
dered  by  general  Hull  were  recovered  from  the  enemy. 

35.  Leaving  general  Cass  in  command  ,at  Detroit,  genera! 
Harrison,  with  part  of  the  regular  force,  again  embarked,  on 
board  the  vessels,  and,  on  the  24th,  arrived  at  Buffalo,  in  New- 
York,  intending  to  join  the  American  army  on  the  Niagara  fron 
tier.     But  a  sufficient  number  of  general  officers  having  been 
assigned  to  that  army,  he  received  permission  to  return  to  his 
family. 

36.  Previous  to  the  events  just  related,  general  Dearborn,  in 
consequence  of  severe  indisposition,  was  withdrawn  from  active 
service,  and  general  Wilkinson  appointed  to  command  the  army 
of  the  centre,  which  comprised  about  7000  men.     Having  re 
ceived  orders,  from  the  secretary  of  war,  to  descend  the   St. 
Lawrence  and  attack  Montreal,  he  directed  the  scattered  detach 
ments  to  assemble  at  Grenadier-Island,  on  lake  Ontario.     Such 
were  the  difficulties  attending  the  concentration  of  the  troops, 
and  such  perhaps  the  want  of  vigor  in  the  commander,  that  the 
flotilla,  upon  which  they  embarked,  did  not  get  under  way  until 
ihe  5th  of  November. 

37.  Their  progress  was  impeded  by  parties  which  the  enemy, 
At  ev.ery  convenient  position,  had  stationed  on  the  Canada  shore. 
To  disperse  these,  a  body  of  troops,  under  the  command  of  ge 
neral  Brown,  was  landed,  and  directed  to  march  in  advance  of 
the  boats.     At  Chrystler's  fields,  on  the  llth  of  November,  a 
body  of  the  enemy,  of  equal  force,  was  encountered.     In  the 
battle  which  ensued,  both  fought  with  resolute  bravery,  and  both 
claimed  the  victory.     The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  greatest, 
but  they  drove  the  enemy  from  their  position,  and  enabled  the 
flotilla  to  pass  unmolested. 

38.  The  next  day  it  arrived  at  St.  Regis.     At  this  place,  ge 
neral  Hampton,  who  commanded  the  troops  at  Plattsburg,  had 

••  been  ordered  to  meet  the  main  army,  and  no  doubt  had  been  en 
tertained  of  his  disposition  and  ability  to  comply  with  the  order. 
But  here  general  Wilkinson,  to  his  surprise  and  mortification, 
was  informed  that  the  contemplated  junction  would  not  take 
place.  The  project  of  attacking  Montreal  was  abandoned,  and 
the  army  under  Wilkinson,  marching  to  French  Mills,  there  en 
camped  for  the  winter. 

39.  This  abortive  issue  of  the  campaign  occasioned  murrain  3 
throughout  the  nation.     The  causes  which  led  to  it  have  ne  vt  r 
been  fully  developed.     The  severest  censure  fell  upon  general 
Armstrong,  who  was  secretary  of  war,  and  upoa  general  Hamil 
ton.     The  latter  soon  after  resigned  his  commission  in  the  army. 


250  MADISON'S  [1813 

and  general  Izard  was  selected  to  command  the  post  at  Platts- 
burg. 

40.  In  the  progress  of  our  narrative,  some  events  have  heen 
passed  over,  which  will  now  be  related.     In  the  early  part  of 
this  year,  the  emperor  of  Russia  offered  his  mediation  to  the  two 
powers  at  war.     On  the  part  of  the  United  States,  the  offer  was 
promptly  accepted,  and  Messrs.  Adams,  Gallatin,  and  Bayard, 
were  appointed  commissioners  to  negotiate,  at  St.  Petersburg,  a 
peace  under  the  proffered  mediation. 

41.  On  the  24th  of  May,  congress  was  convened  by  procla 
mation  of  the  president.     Laws  were  enacted  imposing  a  direct 
tax  of  three  millions  of  dollars ;  authorizing  the  collection  of 
various  internal  duties  ;  providing  for  a  loan  of  seven  and  a  half 
million  of  dollars  ;  and  prohibiting  the  merchant  vessels  of  the 
United  States  from  sailing  under  British  licenses.     Near  the 
close  of  the  session,  a  committee,  appointed  to  inquire  into  the 
subject,  made  a  long  report  upon  the  spirit  and  manner  in  which 
the  war  had  been  conducted  by  the  enemy.     Many  proofs  were 
presented  of  shameful  departures  from  the  rules  of  warfare  ob 
served  by  civilized  nations. 

42.  In  September,  commodore  Chauncey  made  two  cruise* 
upon  lake  Ontario,  and  repeatedly  offered  battle  to  the  enemy'* 
squadron,  which  was  superior  in  force  ;  but  Sir  James  Yeo,  the 
British  commander,  intimidated  by  the  result  of  the  battle  on 
lake  Erie,  retired  before  him.     On  one  occasion,  however,  in  a 
running  fight,  his  ships  sustained  considerable  injury. 

43.  In  the  same  month,  captain  Rogers,  who  commanded  the 
frigate  President,  returned  from  a  long  cruise,  having  captured 
eleven  merchantmen  ;  but  he  met  no  armed  vessels,  the  capture 
of  which  could  enhance  his  reputation.     Captain  Porter,  in  the 
Essex,  rode  triumphant  in  the  Pacific  ocean,  annoying  the  trade 
of  the  enemy  and  protecting  that  of  the  republic. 

44.  The  Indians  at  the  southern  extremity  of  the  union  had 
imbibed  the  same  hostile  spirit  as  those  at  the  northwestern. 
They  had  been  visited  by  Tecumseh,  and,  by  his  eloquence,  per 
suaded,  that  the  great  Spirit  required  them  to  unite  and  attempt 
the  extirpation  of  the  whites,  and  had  promised  them  victory  as 
the  reward  of  their  exertions.     In  the  fall  of  1812,  a  cruel  war 
was  carried  on,  by  the  Creeks  and  Seminoles,  against  the  fron 
tier  inhabitants  of  Georgia.     General  Jackson,  at  the  head  of 
2500  volunteers  from  Tennessee,  marched  into  the  country  of 
the  Indians.     They,  overawed  by  his  presence,  desisted  for  a 
time  from  hostility;  but,  after  his  return,  their  animosity  burst 
forth  with  increased  and  fatal  violence. 

45.  Dreading  their  cruelty,  about  three  hundred  men,  women* 


1813-1  ADMINISTRATION.  251 

and  children  sought  safety  in  fort  Minims,  in  the  Tensaw  set* 
tlement.  Although  frequent  warnings  of  an  intended  attack  had 
been  given  them,  yet,  at  noon  day,  on  the  30th  of  August,  they 
were  surprised  by  a  party  of  six  hundred  Indians,  who  with  axes 
cut  their  way  into  the  fort,  and  drove  the  people  into  the  houses 
which  it  enclosed.  To  these  they  set  fire.  Many  persons  were 
burned,  and  many  killed  by  the  tomahawk.  Only  seventeen  es 
caped  to  carry  the  horrid  tidings  to  the  neighboring  stations, 

The  whites  resolved  on  vengeance.  Again  general  Jackson^ 
at  the  head  of  3500  militia  of  Tennessee,  marched  into  the 
southern  wilderness.  A  detachment  under  general  Coffee,  en 
countering,  at  Tallushatchie,  a  body  of  Indians,  a  sanguinary 
conflict  ensued.  The  latter  fought  with  desperation,  neither 
giving  nor  receiving  quarter,  until  nearly  every  warrior  had  pei 
ished. 

47.  At  Talladega,  another  battle  was  fought,  in  which  three 
hundred  Indians  perished.     The  rest  of  the  party,  exceeding 
geven  hundred,  fled.     General  Jackson's  provisions  being  ex 
hausted,  he  was  unable  to  pursue  them.     While  on  his  return  to 
the  settlements,  to  obtain  a  supply,  his  troops  became  refractory 
and  even  mutinous.     Nearly  all  returned  to  their  homes ;  but  to 
the  small  number  that  remained  were  soon  "added  a  reinforce 
ment  of  one  thousand  mounted  volunteers. 

48.  At  the  head   of  this  force,  he  marched  to  Einuckfaw, 
within  a  bend  of  the  Tallapoosa,  where  a  body  of  the  enemy 
were  posted.     To  several  skirmishes  succeeded  a  general  battle, 
in  which  the  whites  were  victorious,  but  sustained  considerable  v. 
loss.     For  the  relief  of  the  wounded,  Jackson  returned  to  fort 
Strother,  where  the   volunteers    were   discharged.      General 
White  from  East  Tennessee,  and  general  Floyd  from  Georgia, 
led  separate  expeditions  against  the  Indians,  and  were  victorious 
in  every  combat.     So  enraged  were  the  savages,  that  but  few 
would  accept  of  quarter  or  seek  safety  in  retreat. 

49.  Yet  still  was  the  spirit  of  the  Creeks  unsubdued,  and 
their  faith  in  victory  unshaken.      With  no  little   sagacity  and 
skill,  they  selected  and  fortified  another  position  on  the  Talla 
poosa,   called  by  themselves  Tohopeka,  and  by  the  whites. 
Horse-shoe  Bend.     Here  nearly  a  thousand  warriors,  animated 
witii  a  fierce  and  determined  resolution,  were  collected.    Three 
thousand  men,  commanded  by  general  Jackson,  marched  to  at 
tack  this  post.  To  prevent  escape,  a  detachment,  under  general. 
Coffee,  encircled  the  Bend.     The  main  body,  keeping  within  it, 
advanced  to  the  fortress.     For  a  few  minutes,  the  opposing  for 
ces  were  engaged,  muzzle  to  muzzle,  at  the  port  holes.     Soon 
the  troops.  leaping  over  the  walls?  mingled  with  the  savage** 


252  MADISON'S  [1814. 

The  combat  was  furious  and  sanguinary.  The  Indians,  fleeing 
at  length  to  the  river,  beheld  the  troops  on  the  opposite  bank 
Returning,  they  fought  with  increased  fury  and  desperation,  and 
continued  to  resist  until  night.  Six  hundred  warriors  were 
killed ;  four  only  yielded  themselves  prisoners ;  the  remaining 
three  hundred  escaped.  Of  the  whites,  fifty-five  were  killed, 
and  one  hundred  and  forty-six  wounded. 

50.  It  was  expected  that  another  stand  would  be  made,  by  the 
Indians,  at  a  place  called  the  Hickory-ground.  General  Jack 
son  marched  thither  in  April.  The  principal  chiefs  came  out 
to  meet  him,  and  among  them  was  Wetherford,  a  half  blood, 
distinguished  equally  for  his  talents  and  cruelty.  "  I  am  in  your 
power,"  said  he,  "  do  with  me  what  you  please.  I  commanded 
at  fort  Mimms.  I  have  done  the  white  people  all  the  harm  I 
could.  I  have  fought  them,  and  fought  them  bravely.  There 
was  a  time  when  I  had  a  choice ;  I  have  none  now,  even  hope  is 
ended.  Once  I  could  animate  my  warriors  ;  but  I  cannot  ani 
mate  the  dead.  They  can  no  longer  hear  my  voice  ;  their 
bones  are  at  Tallushatchie,  Talladega,  Emuckfaw,  and  Toho- 
peka.  While  there  was  a  chance  of  success,  I  never  supplica 
ted  peace ;  but  my  people  are  gone,  and  I  now  ask  it  for  my  na 
tion  and  myself."  Peace  was  concluded,  and  the  brave  gene 
ral  Jackson  aud  his  troops  enjoyed  an  honourable  but  short 
repose. 


CHAPTER  XXYIII. 
CAMPAIGN  OF  1814. 

CONCLUSION    OF    THE   WAR. 

1.N  the  winter  of  1813-14,  the  fifteenth  congress  held  a 
second  session.  To  increase  the  number,  and  add  to  the  effi 
ciency  of  the  army,  several  laws  were  passed,  by  one  of  which 
the  enormous  bounty  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-four  dollars  was 
offered  to  recruits.  The  president  was  authorized  to  borrow 
twenty-live  millions  of  dollars,  and  to  issue  treasury  notes  to  the 
amount  of  five  millions* 


1814.]  ADMINISTRATION  253 

2.  Before  the  termination  of  the  session,  a  communication 
was  received  from  the  British  government,  declining  to  treat 
under  the  mediation  of  Russia,  and  proposing  a  direct  negotia 
tion  at  London  or  Gottenburgh*     The  proposition  was  accepted 
by  the  American  government,  who  chose  Gottenburgh  as  the 
place  of  meeting,  for  which  Ghent  was  afterwards  substituted  ; 
and  Henry  Clay  and  Jonathan  Russell,  were  joined  writh  the 
commissioners  already  in  Europe.     Mr.  Clay,  in  consequence, 
relinquished  the  station  of  speaker  of  the  house  of  representa 
tives,  and  was  succeeded  by  Langdon  Cheves,  of  South-Carolina. 

3.  Early  in  the  spring,  the  American  army  marched  from 
French-Mills ;    a  part  of  the  troops,  under  the  command  oi 
general  Wilkinson,  proceeding  to  Pittsburgh,  and  the  remain 
der,  und«r  general  Brown,  returning  to  Sackett's  Harbor,    Near 
the  last  of  March,  general  Wilkinson  penetrated  into  Canada, 
and  attacked  a  body  of  the  enemy,  occupying  a  large  stone  mill, 
on  the  river  La  Cole.     He  was  repulsed  with  considerable  loss» 
This  defeat  detracted  from  his  already  diminished  reputation. 
He  was  removed  from  command,  and  general  Izard  appointed 
to  succeed  him. 

4.  For  three  months,  the  armies  of  both  nations  continued  in 
active.     Meanwhile  information  was  received  of  the  stupendous 
events  which  had  recently  occurred  in  Europe.     The  emperor 
of  France,  having  been  arrested  in  his  victorious  career  and 
sustained  defeat  after  defeat,  was  compelled  to  abdicate  his  throne, 
and  retire  to  the  island  of  Elba.     Louis  the  eighteenth  was  pro 
claimed  king;  and  Great  Britain,  at  peace  with  all  the  world  but 
the  United  States,  was  enabled  to  direct  against  them  alone  the 
immense  force  which  had  been  employed  to  crush  her  rival.  She 
delayed  not  to  use  the  advantages  afforded  by  her  good  fortune, 
From  the  ports  of  conquered  France,  ships  of  war  and  transports 
bearing  veteran  and  victorious  troops,  sailed  to  the  American 
continent,  some  destined  to  the  Niagara  frontier,  and  some  to  tho 
Atlantic  coast. 

5.  These  events  could  not  be  viewed  with  indifference  by  the 
American  people.     The  friends  of  the  administration  anticipated 
a  severer  conflict,  and  prepared  for  greater  sacrifices  arid  greater 
sufferings.     Its  opposers   were  encouraged  to  make  more  vigor 
ous  efforts  to  wrest  the  reins  of  authority  from  men  who,  they 
asserted,   had   shown  themselves   incompetent  to  hold   them. 
These  efforts,  although  condemned  by  a  great  majority  of  the 
people,  diminished  in  no  slight  degree,  the  strength  of  the  re 
public. 

6.  In  the  beginning  of  July,  general  Brown,  who  had  been 
assiduously  employed  in  disciplining  his  troops,  crossed  the 


254  MADISON'S  [1814. 

Niagara  with  about  3000  men,  and  took  possession,  without  op 
position,  of  fort  Erie.  In  a  strong  position,  at  Chippewa,  a  few 
miles  distant,  was  intrenched  an  equal  number  of  British  troops 
commanded  by  general  Riall.  On  the  4th,  general  Brown  ap 
proached  their  works.  The  next  day,  the  two  armies  met  in  the 
open  field.  The  conflict  was  obstinate  and  bloody.  The 
Americans  were  victorious ;  and  the  enemy,  having  sustained  the 
loss  of  five  hundred  men,  sought  safety  behind  their  intrench 
ments. 

7.  This  decisive  victory,  achieved  after  so  many  reverses, 
was  hailed  as  an  omen  of  future  success.     Soon  afterwards, 
general  Riall,  abandoning  his  works,  retired  to  the  heights  of 
Burlington.     Here  lieutenant-general  Drummond,  with  a  large 
reinforcement,  joined  him,  and  assuming  the  command,  led  back 
the  army  towards  the  American  camp.    On  the  25th,  was  fought 
the  battle  of  Bridgewater,  which  began  before  sunset  and  con 
tinued  until  midnight. 

8.  This  battle  was  fought  near  the  cataract  of  Niagara,  whose 
roar  was  silenced  by  the  thunder  of  cannon  and  the  din  of  arms, 
but  was  distinctly  heard  during  the  pauses  of  the  fight.     At  in 
tervals  the  moon  shone  brightly,  but  often  her  light  was  obscured. 
Against  a  superior  force,  the  Americans,  for  several  hours,  con 
tended  with  various  success.    During  the  first  part  of  the  engage 
ment,  they  were  sorely  annoyed,  into  whatever  part  of  the  field 
they  might  drive  the  enemy  or  be  driven,  by  the  British  artillery, 
stationed  on  a  commanding  eminence.     "  Can  you  storm  that 
battery?"  said  general  Ripley  to  colonel  Miller.     "  I'll  try,  sir,'* 
was  the  laconic  answer.     At  the  word  of  command  his  men, 
with  steady  courage,  ascended  the  hill,  advanced  to  the  muzzles 
of  the  cannon,  killed  with  the  bayonet  several  artillery- men,  on 
the  point  of  firing  their  pieces,  and  drove  the  remainder  before 
them. 

9.  Both  parties  were  instantly  reinforced,  and  the  enemy  made 
a  daring  effort  to  regain  their  cannon.     They  were  repulsed,  but 
quickly  repeated  the  attempt.     Nearly  all  the  opposing  forces 
gathered  around  this  position,  and  to  possess  it  was  the  sole  ob 
ject  of   both  armies.     Again  the  enemy  were   repulsed;  but 
again  they  renewed  the  effort.     After  a  violent  conflict,  they 
were  a  third  time  driven  from  the  hill.     The  firing  then  ceased ; 
the  British  troops  were  withdrawn ;  and  the  Americans  were  left 
in  quiet  possession  of  the  field. 

10.  Generals  Brown  and  Scott  having  both  been  severely 
wounded,  the  command  devolved  upon  general  Ripley.     He  re 
mained  a  few  hours  upon  the  hill,  collected  the  wounded,  and 
then  returned  unmolested  to  the  camp.     The  number  of  the 


W14.]  ADMINISTRATION  255 

killed  and  wounded  proves  the  bravery  of  the  combatants,  and 
the  severity  of  the  conflict.  On  the  American  side  it  was  743  ; 
on  the  British,  one  hundred  less;  and  of  the  latter  117  more 
were  missing  than  of  the  former.  The  British,  therefore,  besides 
losing  their  position,  sustained  the  greater  loss  of  men. 

11.  General  Ripley  found  his  force  so  much  weakened,  that 
he  deemed  it  prudent  again  to  occupy  fort  Erie.     On  the  4th  of 
August,  it  was  invested  by  general  Drumniond  with  5000  troops. 
In  defending  it,  no  less  bravery  and  skill  were  requisite,  and  no 
less  were  displayed,  than  in  ci  ntending  in  the  field.     In  the 
night  between  the  14th  and  15th,  the  besiegers  made  an  assault 
.upon  the  fort,  which  was  repelled  with  conspicuous  gallantry  by 
the  garrison,  the  former  losing  more  than  nine  hundred  men,  the 
latter  but  eighty-four. 

12.  The  siege  was  still  continued.     On  the  2d  of  September, 
general  Brown,  having  recovered  from  his  wounds.,  threw  him 
self  into  the  fort  and  took  command  of  the  garrison.     For  theh* 
fate,  great  anxiety  was  felt  by  the  nation,  which  was,  however, 
in  some  degree,  removed  by  the  march  from  Plattsburgh  of  5000 
men  to  their  relief.     On  the  17th,  a  sortie  was  made  by  the  be 
sieged,  general  Porter  of  the  New- York  militia,  and   general 
Miller  of  the  regular  army,  commanding  divisions.     The  bra 
very  of  the  troops  equalled  that  which  they  had  displayed  in  tho 
recent  contests.     After  an  hour  of  close  fighting,  they  returned 
to  the  fort,  having  killed,  wounded,  arid  taken  one  thousand  ot 
the  enemy.     Ttieir  loss  was  severe,  amounting  to  more  than 
live  hundred. 

13.  On  the  21st  of  September,  the  forty-ninth  day  of  tho 
.siege,  general  Drummond  withdrew  his  forces,  relieving  the  gar 
rison  from  their  toil,  which  had  been  incessant,  and  from  their 
danger,  which  had  been  encountered   without  fear.     Seldom 
have  troops  deserved  higher  praise  of  their  country.     On  the 
9th  of  October,  general  Izard  arrived  with  the  reinforcement 
from  Plattsburgh,  and  being  senior  officer,  took  the  command. 
On  the  18th,  he  marched,  with  his  whole  force,  in  pursuit  of  the 
enemy,  whom  he  found  at  Chippewa,  strongly  posted  in  a  forti 
fied  camp.      After  making  several  unsuccessful  attempts  to  en 
tice  them  into  the  field,  he  evacuated  Canada,  and  placed  his 
troops  in  winter  quarters  at  Buffalo,  Blackrock,  and  Batavia. 

14.  The  inarch  of  the  troops  from  Plattsburgh  having  left 
that  post  almost  defenceless,  the  enemy  determined  to  attack  it 
by  land,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  attempt  the  destruction  of  the 
American  flotilla  on  lake  Champlain.   On  the  3d  of  September, 
sir  George   Prevost,  the  governor-general  of  Canada,  with  au 


MADISON'S  [1814. 

army  of  14,000  men,  most  of  whom  had  served  in  the  wars  of 
Europe,  entered  the  territories  of  the  United  States.  As  soon 
as  his  object  was  ascertained,  brigadier-general  Macomb,  the 
commander  at  Plattsburgh,  called  to  his  aid  the  militia  of  New- 
York  and  Vermont,  who,  with  alacrity  and  without  distinction  of 
party,  obeyed  the  call. 

15.  On  the  6th,  the  enemy  arrived  at  Plattsburgh,  which  is 
situated  near  lake  Champlain,  on  the  northerly  bank  of  the  sn.all 
river  Saranac.     On  their  approach,  the  American  troops,  wl.c 
were  posted  on  the  opposite  bank,  tore  up  the  planks  of  thd 
bridges,  with  which  they  formed  slight  breastworks,  and  pre 
pared  to  dispute  the  passage  of  the  stream.     Several  attempts 
to  cross  it  were  made  by  the  enemy,  but  they  were  uniformly 
defeated.    From  this  time,  until  the  llth,  the  British  army  were 
employed  in  erecting  batteries,  while  the  American  forces  were 
every  hour  augmented  by  the  arrival  of  volunteers  and  militia. 

16.  Early  in  the  morning  of  that  day,  the  British  squadron, 
commanded  by  Commodore  Downie,  appeared  off  the  harbor  o; 
Plattsburgh,  where  that  of  the  United  States,  commanded  bj 
commodore  McDonough,  lay  at  anchor  prepared  for  battle. 
The  former  carried  ninety-five  guns,  and  was  manned  with  up 
wards  of  1000  men,  the  latter  carried  eighty-six  guns,  and  was 
manned  with  820  men. 

17.  At  nine  o'clock  the  battle  commenced.     Seldom  has  the 
ocean  witnessed  a  more  furious  encounter  than  now  took  place 
on  the  bosom  of  this  transparent  and  peaceful  lake.     At  the 
same  moment,  the  enemy  on  land  began  a  heavy  cannonade  <;p- 
on  the  American  lines, and  attempted,  at  different  places,  to  cross 
the  Saranac.     At  a  ford  above  the  village  the  strife  was  hot  and 
deadly.     As  often  as  the  enemy  advanced  into  the  water,  they 
received  a  destructive  fire  from  the  militia,  arid  their  dead  bodies 
floated  down  the  stream  literally  crimsoned  with  blood. 

IS.  At  half  past  eleven,  the  shout  of  victory,  heard  along  the 
American  lines,  announced  the  result  of  the  battle  on  the  lake. 
A  second  British  squadron  had  yielded  to  the  prowess  of  Ameri 
can  seamen.  The  cry  animated  to  braver  deeds  their  brethren 
on  the  land.  Fainter  became  the  efforts  of  the  enemy.  In  the 
afternoon,  they  withdrew  to  their  intrenchments.  In  the  night, 
they  began  a  precipitate  retreat,  and  had  fled  eight  miles  before 
their  departure  was  known  in  the  American  camp. 

19.  Upon  the  lake,  the  American  loss  was  110  ;  the  British 
194,  besides  prisoners.  On  land,  the  American  loss  was  119  ; 
that  of  the  British  was  estimated  at  2500.  In  the  latter  num- 
l-e>%  however,  were  included  more  than  five  hundred  British 


1814.]  ADMINISTRATION.  257 

soldiers,  who,  preferring  America  to  their  native  country,  de 
serted  from  the  retreating  army.     With  these  splendid  victories 
closed  the  campaign  on  the  northern  frontier. 

20.  On  the  ocean,  the  republican  flag  maintained  its  high  re 
putation.     Victory  was  not  always  won  ;  but  defeat  never  oc 
curred  attended  with  dishonor.     The  Essex,   commanded  by 
captain  Porter,  after  a  bloody  combat  protracted  longer  than  was 
necessary  to   vindicate   his  fame,  struck   to   a   British   frigate 
and  sloop  of  war  whose  united  force  was  much  superior.     The 
American  sloop  Peacock  captured  the  Epervier  of  equal  force. 
The  sloop  Wasp,  commanded  by  captain  Blakely,  captured  the 
Reindeer,  and  afterwards,  in  the  same  cruise,  sunk  the  Avon, 
each  of  superior  force.     She  made  several  other  prizes ;   but 
never  returned  into  port.     Darkness  rests  upon  her  fate.     She 
probably  foundered  at  sea.   The  republic,  with  deep  and  sincere 
grief,  mourned  the  loss  of  her  gallant  erew. 

21.  The  people  of  the  middle  and  southern  states,,  anticipat 
ing  a  great  augmentation  of  the  enemy's  force,  and  uncertain 
where  the  blow  would  fall,  made  exertions  to  place  every  ex 
posed  position  in  a  posture  of  defence.     The  citizens  uf  New- 
York  displayed  extraordinary  activity  and  zeal.      Philadelphia 
arid  Baltimore  were  supposed  to  be  in  less  danger,  but  additions 
were  made  to  their  fortifications.     For  the  protection  of  Wash 
ington,  a  military  district,  embracing  Maryland,  Columbia,  and 
a  part  of  Virginia,  was  established,  and   the  command   of  it 
given  to  general  Winder,  of  Baltimore.     One  thousand  regular 
troops  were  placed  at  his  disposal,  and  he  was  authorised  to  cal. 
to  his  aid  15,000  militia. 

22.  In  the  beginning  of  August,  the  expected  reinforcements, 
consisting  of  many  vessels  of  war,  and  a  large  number  of  troops, 
arrived  in  the  Chesapeake  from  Europe.     Of  this  force,  several 
frigates  and  bomb  vessels  were  ordered  to  ascend  the  Potomac; 
another  division,  under  sir  Peter  Parker,  was  directed  to  threaten 
Baltimore;  the  main  body  ascended  the  Patuxeht,  as  far  as 
Benedict,  where,  on  the  19th  of  August,  five  thousand  men,  com 
manded  by  general  Ross,  were  landed. 

23.  In  the  mean  time,  general  Winder  had  called  on  the 
militia  to  repair  to  his  standard.    They  were  exceedingly  remisH 
in  obeying  the  call.     On  the  22nd,  not  more  than  two  thousand 
nad  assembled.     At  the  head  of  these,  and  of  one  thousand  re 
gulars,  he  took  a  position  not  far  from  the  enemy,  intending-  to 
prevent  their  progress  into  the  country. 

24.  A  particular  account  of  the  subsequent  events  will  not  b< 
attempted.     General  Ross,  marching  through  a  scattered  popu 
lation,  advanced  towards  Washington.     The  Americans  retired 

1'  2 


MADISON'S 


[1814, 


before  him.  A  stand  was  made  near  Bladensburgh.  The  mi- 
litia  fled  on  the  approach  of  danger ;  but  a  body  of  seamen  and 
marines,  commanded  by  commodore  Barney,  not  only  maintain, 
ed  their  ground,  but  compelled  the  enemy  to  give  way.  They 
rallied,  however,  immediately  ;  outflanked  the  heroic 'band,  put 
it  to  flight,  and  hastened  forward. 

The  retreating  forces  were  ordered  to  assemble  on  the 
heights  near  the  capitol;  and  there  they  were  joined  by  a  bi  dy 
of  Virginia  militia.  But  general  Winder,  considering  his  foice 
too  weak  to  oppose  effectual  resistance,  retreated  to  the  heights 
of  Georgetown.  Washington,  thus  left  defenceless,  was  di 
verted  by  most  of  the  citizens. 

On  the  24th,  at  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  enemy  enter 
ed  the  city,  and  at  nine,  the  capitol,  president's  house,  and  many 
other  buildings,  were  set  on  fire.  Valuable  libraries,  works  of 
taste,  and  elegant  specimens  of  the  fine  arts,  were  consigned  to 
destruction,  On  the  evening  of  the  next  day,  the  enemy  left 
the  city,  and  returned  unmolested  to  Benedict ;  where,  on  the 
30th,  they  embarked  on  board  the  transports.  Their  loss,  dur 
ing  the  incursion,  including  deserters,  and  such  as  died  from 
fatigue  on  the  march,  exceeded  eight  hundred. 

The  capture  of  Washington  reflected  disgrace  upon  those  by 
whom  it  ought  to  have  been  defended.  The  destruction  of  the 
national  edifices  attached  a  still  darker  stigma  to  the  character  of 
the  enemy.  The  whole  civilized  world  exclaimed  against  tho 
net  as  a  violation  of  the  rules  of  modern  warfare.  The  capi- 
tals  of  most  of  the  European  kingdoms  had  lately  been  in  the 
power  of  an  enemy ;  but  in  no  instance  had  the  conqueror  been 
guilty  of  similar  conduct.  An  indignant  spirit  pervaded  the  re 
public.  The  friends  of  the  government  were  not  only  increas 
ed  in  number,  but  felt  an  additional  motive  to  exert  all  their  fa 
culties  to  overcome  the  enemy  of  their  country. 

The  squadron  which,  at  the  same  time,  ascended  the  Poto 
mac,  met  with  eren  less  resistance  than  that  which  ascended  the 
Patuxent.  As  soon  as  it  arrived  at  Alexandria,  the  citizens  pro 
posed  a  capitulation  ;  and  the  terms  were  speedily  adjusted  with 
the  British  commander.  To  purchase  safety,  they  delivered  up 
nil  their  shipping;  all  the  merchandize  in  the  city,  and  all  the 
naval  and  ordnance  stores  public  and  private.  With  a  fleet  of 
prizes,  loaded  with  a  rich  booty,  the  enemy  returned  immedi 
ately  to  the  ocean. 

The  success  of  the  attack  on  Washington  encouraged  general 
Ross  to  undertake  an  expedition  against  Baltimore.  On  the 
12th  of  September,  he  landed  5000  men  on  North  Point,  about 
fourteen  miles  from  the  city,  to  which  he  directed  his  march. 


I814.J  ADMINISTRATION.  259 

Preparations  for  defence  had  already  been  made.  The  whole 
of.  the  militia  had  been  called  into  the  field  ;  the  aged^and  the 
rich  had  voluntarily  entered  the  ranks  ;  and  assistance  had  been 
obtained  from  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia. 

30.  General  Smith,  who  commanded  the  American  forces, 
detached  general  Striker,  with  three  thousand  men,  to  retard  the 
progress  of  the  enemy.     The  advanced  parties  met  about  eight 
miles  from  the  city.     In  the  skirmish  which  ensued  general  Ross 
was  killed.     The  invaders,  however,  under  the  command  of 
colonel  Brooke,  continued  to  advance,  and  soon  met  and  attacked 
the  detachment  under  Strieker.     One  of  the  militia  regiments 
gave  way.     This  communicated  a  panic  to  the  others,  and  the 
general  fell  back  to  the  heights,  where,  behind  breastworks  has 
tily  erected,  the  main  body  of  the  Americans  awaited  an  attack. 

31.  After  landing  the  troops  at  North  Point,  the  British  fleet 
had  sailed  up  the  Petapsco  and  bombarded  fort  McHenry  and 
fort  Covington,  which  stand  at  the  entrance  into  the  harbor. 
The  former  was  commanded  by  major  Armistead,  the  latter  by 
lieutenant  Newcomb,  of  the  nsvy.  Both  were  gallantly  defended, 
the  fleet  was  repulsed,  and  the  commander  of  the  troops,  finding 
that  the  naval  force  could  afford  no  farther  assistance,  retreated, 
on  the  14th,  to  North  Point,  and  the  next  day  re-embarked. 
Soon  after,  the  fleet  left  Chesapeake  bay,  and  part  proceeded 
southward  to  convey  the  troops  to  the  theatre  of  future  operations 
and  of  unprecedented  slaughter. 

32.  In  the  New-England  states,  a  majority  of  the  people 
were,  from  the  first,  opposed  to  the  war ;  and  as  it  restrained 
them  from  their  most  profitable  pursuits,  commerce  and  the 
fisheries,  their  dissatisfaction  continued  to  increase.     They  com 
plained  that  their  peculiar  interests  were  disregarded,  and  ^that 
the  government,  employing  elsewhere  the  resources  drawn  from 
N-ew-England,  did  not  afford  them  that  protection  to  which,  as 
a  part  of  the  nation,  they  were  entitled.     The  most  zealous 
therefore  recommended  that,  not  only  the  militia  but  the  revenue 
should  be  retained  at  home  and  employed  for  their  own  defence 
and  protection. 

33.  The  general  court  of  Massachusetts  proposed  that  a  con 
vention  of  delegates,  from  the  New-England  states,  should  as 
semble  at  Hartford  to  devise  means  to  obtain  redress  of  their 
grievances.     To  this  proposition  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island 
acceded.     In  December  the  convention  met,  consisting  of  dele 
gates  from  those  states,  appointed  by  their  legislatures  ;  of  two 
from  New-Hampshire,  and  one  from  Vermont,  appointed    at 
county  meetings.     Their  sittings  were  secret.     Upon  their  ad 
journment,  they  published  an  address  to  the  people,  in  which.'in 


MADISON'S  [1814, 

bold  and  forcible  language,  they  enumerated  the  measures  of  the 
national  government,  supposed  to  be  particularly  detrimental  to 
the  interests  of  New-England,  and  of  the  commercial  class  of  the 
.nation,  and  proposed  such  amendments  to  the  constitution  as 
would  prevent,  in  future,  the  adoption  of  similar  measures. 

34.  In  the  fall,  information  was  received  that  the  American 
and   British  commissioners  had  met  and  held  conferences  at 
Ghent.  Great  Britain,  rendered  arrogant  by  her  recent  triumph 3 
in  Europe,  by  the  capture  of  Washington,  and  by  the  boldne.?*' 
of  the  opposition,  demanded  terms  which  extinguished  the  hope 
of  a  speedy  reconciliation.     Congress  shrunk, not  from  the  duty 
which  the  crisis  imposed.     Although  the  expenditures  of  the  na 
tion  greatly  exceeded  the  income  ;  although  its  finances  were  in 
disorder,  and  its  credit  was  impaired,  yet  the  national  legislature, 
with  undaunted  firmness,  entered  upon  the  task  of  furnishing 
the  means  to  prosecute  the  war  with  increased  vigor.     The 
taxes  were  augmented,  and  new  loans  were  authorized.     The 
duties  of  secretary  of  war,  from  which  post  general  Armstrong 
was  removed,  were  assigned  to  Mr.  Monroe,  the  secretary  of 
state,  and  Mr.  Dallas  of  Pennsylvania,  was  appointed  secretary 
of  the  treasury. 

35.  The  repose  of  general  Jackson,  and  of  the  troops  whom 
he  commanded,  was  interrupted  by  the  arrival  at  Pensacola,  in 
August,  of  three  British  ships  of  war,  bringing  three  hundred 
soldiers,  and  arms  and  ammunition  to  be  distributed  among  the 
Indians  of  Florida.  The  troops  were  permitted,  by  the  Spaniards, 
to  take  possession  of  the  fort,  and  the  commander  issued  a  pro 
clamation,  indicating  an  intention  of  carrying  on  war  against  the 
adjacent  parts  of  the  republic. 

36.  General  Jackson,  with  characteristic  promptness,  took 
instant  and  efficient  measures  for  calling  to  his  aid  the  patriotic 
militia,  who  had  before  been  victorious  under  his  banners.     And 
having  remonstrated  in  vain  with  the  governor  of  Pensacola,  for 
affording  shelter  and  protection  to  the  enemies  of  the  United 
States,  he,  near  the  end  of  October,  at  the  head  of  a  body  gf  re 
gulars  and  two  thousand  mounted  volunteers,  marched  against 
that  place.     A  flag,  sent  to  demand  redress,  was  fired  on  from 
the  batteries.     He  immediately  marched  into  the  city,  stormed 
the  fort,  obtained  entire  possession,  and  compelled  the  British  to 
evacuate  Florida. 

37.  Returning  to  his  head-quarters  at  Mobile,  he  there  receiv 
ed  intelligence  that  a  powerful  expedition  was  on  the  way  to  at 
tack  New-Orleans.    Without  delay,  he  marched  with  his  troops, 
to  that  city.     He  found  it  in  a  state  of  confusion  and  alarm. 
The  militia,  composed  of  men  of  all  nations,  was  imperfectly 


1814.]  ADMINISTRATION. 

organized.  Many,  feeling  no  attachment  to  the  republic,  had 
refused  to  enter  the  ranks.  No  fortifications  existed  on  the 
various  routes  by  which  the  place  could  be  approached ;  and 
fears  were  entertained  that  the  reinforcements  of  militia,  which 
were  expected  from  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  could  not  arrive 
in  time  to  take  part  in  the  contest. 

38.  Undismayed  by  the  difficulties  which  surrounded  him, 
general  Jackson  adopted  the  most  decided  and  efficient  means 
for  the  safety  of  this  rich  and  important  city.  He  visited  in  per 
son  every  exposed  point,  and  designated  the  positions  to  be  for 
tified.    He  mingled  with  the  citizens  and  infused  into  the  greater 
part  his  own  spirit  and  energy.     By  his  presence  and  exhorta 
tions,  they  were  animated  to  exertions  of  which  before  they 
were  not  supposed  to  be  capable.     All  who  could  wield  a  spade, 
or  carry  a  musket,  were  put  to  work  upon  the  fortifications,  or 
trained  in  the  art  of  defending  them. 

39.  The  Mississippi,  upon  the  east  bank  of  which  New-Or 
leans  stands,  flows  to  the  ocean  in  several  channels.  One,  leav 
ing  the  main  stream  above  the  city,  runs  east  of  it  and  forms,  in 
its  course,  lake  Ponchartrain  and  lake  Borgne.     Early  in  De 
cember,  the  enemy  entered  this  channel.     Their  whole  force 
amounted  to  about  8000  men,  a  part  of  whom  had  just  left  the 
shores  of  the  Chesapeake,  and  the  remainder  had  arrived  di 
rectly  from   England.     A  small  squadron  of  gunboats  under 
lieutenant  Jones,  was  despatched  to  oppose  their  passage  into 
the  lake.     These  were  met  by  a  superior  force,  and  after  a  spi 
rited  conflict,  in  which  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  enemy  ex 
ceeded  the  whole  number  of  the  Americans,  they  were  compell 
ed  to  surrender. 

40.  This  disaster  required  the  adoption,  in  the  city,  of  more 
vigorous  measures.     Disaffection  growing  bolder,  martial  law 
was  proclaimed  ;  the  authority  of  the  civil  magistrate  was  sus 
pended  ;  and  arbitrary  power  was  assumed  and  exercised  by  the 
commander-in-chipf.     May  no  emergency  hereafter  occur,  in 
which  a  military  officer  shall  consider  himself  authorized  to  cite, 
as  a  precedent,  this  violation  of  the  constitution. 

41.  On  the  21st  of  December,  four  thousand  militia  arrived 
from  Tennessee.     On  the  22d,  the  enemy,  having  previously 
landed,  took  a  position  near  the  main  channel  of  the  river,  about 
eight  miles  below  the  city.     In  the  evening  of  the  23rd,  general 
Jackson  made  a  sudden  and  furious  attack  upon  their  camp. 
They  were  thrown  into  disorder;  but  they  soon  rallied  and 
fought  with  bravery  equal  to  that  of  the  assailants.     Satisfied 
With  the  advantage  first  gained,  he  withdrew  his  troops,  fortified 


262  MADISON'S  £1814, 

ti  strong  position  four  miles  below  New- Orleans,  and  supported 
it  by  batteries  erected  on  the  west  bank  of  the  river. 

42.  On  the  28th  of  December,  and  first  of  January,  vigor 
ous  but  unsuccessful  attacks  were  made  upon  these  fortifications, 
by  the  enemy.     In  the  mean  time,  both  armies  had  received  re 
inforcements  ;  and  general  Packenham,  the  British  commander, 
resolved  to  exert  all  his  strength  in  a  combined  attack  upon  the 
American  positions  on  both  sides  of  the  river.     With  almost  in 
credible  industry,  he  caused  a  canal,  leading  from  a  creek  empty 
ing  into  lake  Borgne  to  the  main  channel  of  the  Mississippi,  to 
be  dug,  that  he  might  remove  a  part  of  his  boats  and  artillery  to 
the  latter.     All  things  being  prepared,  the  8th  of  January  was 
assigned  for  the  assault. 

43.  In  the  night,  a  regiment  was  transported  across  the  river, 
to  storm  the  works  on  the  western  bank,  and  turn  the  guns  on 
the  American  troops  on  the  eastern.     Early  in  the  morning,  the 
main  body  of  the  -enemy,  consisting  of  seven  or  eight  thousand 
men,  marched  from  their  camp  to  the  assault.  While  approach 
ing,  fearless  and  undaunted,  showers  of  grape-shot  thinned  their 
ranks.     When  they  came  within  musket  shot  a  vivid  stream  of 
fire  burst  from  the  American  lines.     General  Jackson  having 
placed  his  troops  in  two  ranks,  those  in  the  rear  loaded  for  those 
in  front,  enabling  them  to  fire  with  scarcely  a  moment's  inter 
mission.     The  militia  of  the  west,  trained  from  infancy  to  the 
use  of  the  rifle,  seldom  took  unsteady  or  uncertain  aim.     The 
plain  was  soon  covered  with  dead  and  wounded.     Some  British 
regiments  faltered  and  fell  back;  but  others  advanced  and  pre 
sented  new  victims.     While  bravely  leading  to  the  walls  the  re 
giment  which  bore  the  ladders,  general  Packenham  was  killed. 
In  attempting  to  restore  order  and  to  rally  the  fugitives,  general 
Gibbs,  the  second  in  command,  was  wounded  mortally,  and  ge 
neral  Keene  severely.     Without  officers  to  direct  them,  the 
troops  first  halted,  then  fell  back,  and  soon  fled  in  disorder  to 
their  camp.     In  little  more  than  an  hour,  two  thousand  of  the 
enemy  were  laid  prostrate  upon  the  field  ;  while  of  the  Ameri 
cans  but  seven  were  killed  and  six  wounded — a  disproportion  of 
loss  without  a  parallel  in  the  annals  of  warfare. 

44.  The  events  of  the  day,  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  pre 
sent  a  striking  instance  of  the  uncertainty  of  warlike  operations. 
There  the  Americans  were  thrice  the  number  of  the  assailants, 
and  were  protected  by  intrenchments  ;  but  they  ingloriously  fled. 
They  were  closely  pursued,  until  the  British  party,  receiving  in 
telligence  of  the  defeat  of  the  main  army,  withdrew  from  pur 
suit  and  recrossed  the  river.  They  then  returned  and  resumed 
possession  of  their  intrenchments. 


IS14.J  ADMINISTRATION.  263 

45.  General  Lambert,  upon  whom  the  command  of  the  Bri 
tish  army  had  devolved,  having  lost  all  hope  of  success,  prepar 
ed  to  return  to  his  shipping.     In  his  retreat  he  was  not  molest 
ed  :  general  Jackson  wisely  resolving  to  hazard  nothing  that  he 
had  gained,  in  attempting  to  gain  still  more. 

46.  In  the  midst  of  the  rejoicings  for  this  signal  victory,  a 
special  messenger  arrived  from  Europe,  with  a  treaty  of  peace, 
which,  in  December,  had  been  concluded  at  Ghent.     The  Bri 
tish  government  had  receded  from  all  their  demands  ;  and  as  the 
orders  in  council  had  been  repealed,  and  all  motive  for  the  im 
pressment  of  seamen  had  ceased  with  the  war  in  Europe,  no 
stipulation,  in  relation  to  these  subjects,  was  inserted  in  the  trea 
ty,  which  provided  merely  for  the  restoration  of  peace  and  the 
revision  of  boundaries.     The  treaty  was  immediately  ratified  by 
the  president  and  senate. 

47.  The  war,  however,  did  not  cease  on  the  ocean,  until  two 
additional  victories  had  imparted  a  brighter  lustre  to  the  republi 
can  flag.     In  February,  the  Constitution,  then  cruising  under 
the  command  of  captain  Stewart,  captured  the  Cyane  and  Le 
vant,  whose  forces  united  were  superior  to  hers ;  and  in  March, 
the  sloop  Hornet  captured  the  brig  Penguin,  stronger  in  guns 
and  men  than  the  victor. 


APPENDIX. 


THE  English  colonies  of  North  America  were  settled  under 
the  most  favourable  auspices.  The  mind  of  man  had  just 
burst  from  thraldom,  and  begun  to  delight  in  the  free  and  vigor 
ous  exercise  of  its  powers.  Religion  and  government  had  be 
come  themes  of  animated  discussion.  The  people  had  boldly 
questioned  the  divine  right  of  their  rulers  to  control  their  ac 
tions,  and  of  their  priests  to  prescribe  to  them  articles  of  faith. 
They  had  assumed  a  higher  rank  and  bolder  attitude ;  and,  con 
scious  of  their  own  power,  had  begun  to  feel  less  dependence 
upon  others. 

2.  From  that  country,  where  the  advancement  of  knowledge 
had  been  greatest,  came  those  who  peopled  this  western  wilder 
ness.  They  belonged  principally  to  a  class,  so  high  as  to  have 
participated  largely  in  the  advantages  which  knowledge  imparts, 
and  yet  not  so  high  as  to  be  above  the  power  of  the  oppressor. 
The  persecutions  they  had  endured  rendered  the  principles  of 
civil  and  religious  liberty  more  dear  to  their  hearts ;  and  led  to 
inquiries  and  reflections,  which  fixed  a  conviction  of  their  truth 
more  firmly  in  their  understandings. 

3  No  occasion  could  be  more  fortunate,  no  men  could  be 
better  fitted,  to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  superstructure  entirely 
new.  Their  knowledge  enabled  them  to  discern  the  good  and 
the  evil  of  the  political  institutions,  which  had  existed  in  the 
world ;  and  their  feelings,  chastened  by  their  sufferings,  or  ele 
vated  by  their  favourable  view  of  human  nature,  led  them  to  re 
ject  those  provisions,  which  sacrificed  the  happiness  of  many  to 
the  splendour  of  a  few  ;  and  to  adopt  such  only  as  gave  equal 
lights  and  privileges  to  all. 

4.  In  every  nation  of  Europe,  ecclesiastical  establishments 
existed,  almost  co-ordinate  with  the  civil  authority.  The  offi 
cers  of  these  establishments  were  numerous,  and  their  privile 
ges  extensive.  For  their  support,  in  early  times,  a  tenth  part  of 
the  income  of  the  laity  was  appropriated.  Possessing  wealth, 
and  rank,  and  learning,  their  influence  was  great,  and  was  con- 


APPENDIX.  265 

Etantly  exerted  to  acquire  and  preserve  dominion  over  the  minds 
and  consciences  of  men.  Their  success  was  equal  to  the  means 
which  they  employed.  They  continued  to  add  to  their  wealth 
and  power,  until,  corrupted  by  luxury  and  idleness,  they  forgot 
their  duties  to  God  and  to  man ;  and  encumbered  society  with  a 
useless  and  oppressive  weight. 

5.  No  part  of  these  establishments  have  been  transferred 
to  America.     The  first  settlers  of  most  of  the  colonies  were  too 
proud  of  their  attainments,  in  spiritual  knowledge,  to  submit  to 
dictation  in  matters  of  faith  ;  and  too  independent  in  feeling  to 
acknowledge  a  superior  on   earth.     Here  man  resumed  his 
natural  and  dignified  station ;  and  the  ministers  of  the  gospel, 
maintaining  an  apostolical  simplicity  of  character  and  manners, 
have  seldom  sought  to  obtain,  and  possess  not  the  means  of  ob 
taining,  any  greater  influence  than  that  which  superior  virtue 
and  piety  confer. 

6.  The  doctrine  of  hereditary  right  prevailed  also  throughout 
Europe.     By  the  fundamental  regulations  of  nearly  every  king 
dom,  the  monarch  and  nobles  transmitted  to  their  eldest  sons, 
even  though  destitute  of  talents  and  virtue,  their  authority,  pri 
vileges,  and  rank.     The  people  often  saw  on  the  tnrone  men, 
who  were  guilty  of  the  most  atrocious  wickedness,  and  whose 
conduct  involved  communities  and  nations  in  misery ;  but  no  at 
tempt  could  be  made  to  remove  or  punish  them  without  incur 
ring  the  penalty  of  rebellion.      They  saw  also,  in  other  exalted 
stations,  men  equally  wicked  and  equally  beyond  their  control. 

6.  The  law  of  primogeniture  existed  as  a  part  of  the  here 
ditary  system.  The  eldest  son  inherited,  not  the  title  only,  but 
also  all  the  lands  of  the  father.  By  this  unjust  and  unnatural 
law.  the  younger  sons  and  the  daughters  were  doomed  to  com 
parative  poverty.  One  portion  of  the  people  was  made  rich  and 
another  poor.  Few  were  placed  in  that  happy  medium  between 
wealth  and  poverty,  which  is  most  favourable  to  virtue,  to  hap 
piness,  and  to  the  improvement  of  the  human  faculties. 

8.  The  principle,  that  power  could  be  inherited,  was  at  once 
rejected  by  the  first  emigrants  to  America.  They  had  witnessed, 
in   Europe,  the   pernicious  operation  of  this   principle ;  they 
were  convinced  of  its  absurdity  ;     and  even  had  not  such  been 
the  case,  that  equality  of  rank  and  condition,  which  existed 
among  them,  would  have  prevented  any  one  from  claiming  such 
a  privilege  for  his  family,  arid  all  others  from  submitting  to  it. 

9.  The  law  of  primogeniture  fell  of  course  into  disuse,  or  was 
abolished.     That  equality  of  rights  and  of  rank,  which  prevailed 
at  first,  has  continued  to  prevail ;  and  though,  in  some  of  the 
colonies,  the  extravagant  grants  of  land,  which  were  made  bv 

Z 


266  APPENDIX. 

capricious  governors  to  their  favorites,  introduced  great  inequality 
of  fortune,  yet  the  salutary  operation  of  various  laws  is  continually 
diminishing  this  inequality,  dividing  and  distributing  among  many 
that  wealth,  which,  when  in  the  hands  of  a  few,  is  less  beneficial 
to  the  public,  and  productive  of  less  individual  enjoyment. 

10.  The  systems  of  government  established  in  the  colonies 
were  also  departures  from  European  precedents,  and  were  in 
perfect  harmony  with  their  social  institutions.     Most  of  the 
provisions  of  the  early  charters  were  doubtless  suggested  by  the 
first  emigrants,  and  of  course  accorded  with  their  liberal  political 
principles.     The  kings,  who  granted  them,  conceded  many  pri 
vileges  to  encourage  the  settlement  of  colonies  in  America,  en 
tertaining  no  suspicion  that  their  successors  would  ever  have 
occasion  to  regret  their  concessions.     These  charters  made  but 
little  distinction  in  the  rights  and  privileges  of  the  colonists.. 
Every  man  could  regard  those  around  him  as  his  equals.     The 
state  of  individual  dependence  being  hardly  known,  all  sense  of 
dependence  on  the  mother  country  was  gradually  lost ;  and  the 
transition  from  a  colonial  to  an  independent  condition  was  natural 
and  unavoidable. 

11.  In  nothing  is  the  contrast  between  the  two  systems  of  go 
vernment  greater  than  in  the  requisitions,  which  they  make  of 
the  people,  for  their  support  and  defence.     That  of  Great  Bri 
tain  may  be  taken  as  a  favorable  example  of  the  European  go 
vernments.     The  people  of  that  kingdom  pay,  annually,  for  the 
support  of  their  sovereign  and  his  relatives,  nearly  two  and  a 
half  millions  of  dollars,  while  the  compensation  of  the  president 
of  the  United  States  is  but  twenty-five  thousand.     In  the  salaries 
of  the  subordinate  officers  of  government,  the  disproportion  is 
not  so  great,  but  is  generally,  nevertheless,  as  four  or  five  to  one. 

12.  The  military  peace  establishment  of  Great  Britain  costs 
annually  thirty-four  millions  of  dollars  ;  that  of  the  United  States 
but  little  more  than  five  millions.     The  naval  establishment  of 
the  former  costs  twenty-two  millions  ;  that  of  the  latter  less  than 
two  and  a  half  millions.     British  subjects  pay  in  taxes,  raised 
exclusively  for  national  purposes,  at  the  rate  of  fifteen  dollars 
yearly  for  each  individual;  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  pay, 
in  national  and  state  taxes,  at  the  rate  of  but  two  dollars.     And 
as  the  whole  population  of  Great  Britain  and  Ireland  is  included 
in  the  estimate,  the  individual  wealth  of  the  subjects  of  the  united 
kingdom,  and  of  the  citizens  of  the  American  republic,  may,  on 
an  average,  be  considered  nearly  equal. 

13.  With  burdens  thus  light,  not  embarrassed  by  too  much 
regulation,  nor  restricted  by  monopolies,  but  left  at  liberty  to 
pursue  their  own  interests,  as  individual  judgment  may  dictate, 


APPENDIX.  267 

the  citizens  of  the  republic  have  boldly  embarked  in  all  the  or 
dinary  pursuits  of  man ;  and  in  all  have  met  with  a  degree  of 
success,  which  exhibits  a  favorable  and  forcible  commentary 
upon  their  free  institutions,  and  proves  that  no  other  people  sur 
pass  them  in  activity  or  enterprise. 

14.  In  the  pursuits  of  AGRICULTURE,  by  far  the  greatest  por 
tion  of  the  inhabitants  are  engaged  ;  and  for  that  employment 
the  country  is  most  favorably  situated.     It  embraces  every  de 
sirable  variety  of  climate.     The  soil  is  generally  good  ;  in  many 
parts  of  the  union,  it  w  exceedingly  fertile  ;  and  it  produces,  or 
may  be  made  to  produce,  almost  every  vegetable,  which  can  be 
used  as  the  food  of  man,  or  as  the  material  of  manufactures. 
The  northern  states  produce  Indian  corn,  rye,  wheat,  flax,  hemp, 
oats,  potatoes  ;  arid  their  pastures  feed  and  fatten  large  numbers 
of  cattle  and  sheep.     The  middle  and  western  states  produce 
tobacco,  and  the  same  articles  as  the  northern,  but  wheat  in 
much    greater  abundance*     In   the  .southern  states,   cotton  is 
principally  cultivated,   but  considerable  quantities  of  rice  and 
sugar  are  produced. 

15.  In  1820,  the  number  of  persons  engaged  in  agriculture 
was  2,070,646.      The  value  of  all  its  products  exposed  during 
the  year  ending  the.  30th  of  September,  1823,  was  37,646.000 
dollars.     The  principal   articles  were,  cotton  to  the  value  of 
20,445,000  dollars ;  flour  to  the  value  of  4,962,000  dollars ; 
tobacco  to  the  value  of  4,852,000  dollars  ;  and  rice  to  the  value 
of  1,821,000  dollars.      The  value  of  provisions  of  all  kinds  ex 
ported  was  13,460,000  dollars,  and  it  has,  in  many  years,  been 
-greater.     A  people  able  to  spare  such  an  amount  of  the  necessa 
ries  of  life  can  never  be  in  danger  of  suffering  from  want. 

16.  The  agricultural  class  is  conspicuous  for  industry,  morali 
ty,  and  general  intelligence;  but  Iras  less  professional  knowledge 
than  the  same  class  in  Europe.      Land  having  hitherto  been 
cheap,  and  not  exhausted  by  cultivation,  agriculturists  have  not 
been  eager,  and  it  has  not  been  necessary,  to  make  practical  ap 
plication  of  the  discoveries  of  science.     A  change  in  these  re 
spects  having  taken  place,  especially  in  the  Atlantic  states,  many 
now  studv  their  profession  as  a  science  ;  and,  as  all  professions 
are  estimated  according  to  the  skill  and  intelligence  required  to 
attain  eminence  in  them,  they  are  raising  their  own  nearer  to  that 
rank  in  society,  to  which  tiie  utility  and  importance  of  agricul 
ture  entitle  it.      More  taste  and  neatness  are  displayed,  and  the 
appearance  of  the  country  'is  visibly  and  rapidly  improving. 

17.  The  COMMERCE  of  the  United   States  has  yielded  a  rich 
harvest  of  wealth.      Various  circumstances  have  directed  to  this 
pursuit  the  attention  of  a  large  portion  of  the  population,  and 


268  APPENDIX. 

have  contributed  to  their  prosperity  in  it.  For  two  thousand 
miles,  the  republic  bounds  upon  the  sea,  and  in  that  space  has 
many  excellent  harbors.  The  finest  timber  for  ship  building  is 
abundant,  and  easily  procured.  Near  the  shores  of  the  north 
ern  states,  and  on  the  adjacent  banks  of  Newfoundland,  are  fish 
ing  stations,  unsurpassed  by  any  in  the  world.  Fishing  is  con 
sequently  a  lucrative  employment,  in  proportion  to  the  capital 
invested,  and  attracts  to  it  a  large  number  of  the  natives  of  those 
states.  These  become  accustomed  to  a  seafaring  life,  and  soon 
pass  into  larger  vessels,  destined  for  more  distant  and  perilous 
voyages. 

18.  The  state  of  the  world,  for  several  years  subsequent  to 
the  commencement  of  the  French  revolution,  offered  great  en 
couragement  to  the  commercial  enterprise  of  the  country.  While 
almost,  every  other  power  was  engaged  in  war,  the  United  States 
were  neutral ;  their  vessels  navigated  the  ocean  in  safety,  and 
were  employed  to  carry,  from  port  to  port,  the  commodities  of 
the  belligerent  nations.     In  fifteen  years,  beginning  with  1793, 
these  favorable  circumstances  increased  the  amount  of  Ameri 
can  tonnage  from  491,000  to  1,242,000  tons,  and  the  revenue 
arising  from  commerce,  from  4,399,000  to  16,363,000  dollars. 

19.  In  1820,  the  number  of  persons  engaged  in  commerce 
was   72,493.     In   1823,   the  whole   amount   of  exports   was 
74,799,000   dollars;  the  amount  of  imports  was  77,579,009 
dollars,  the  balance,  in  favor  of  the  United  States,  being  about 
three  millions  of  dollars.     As  the  imports,  however,  are  always 
undervalued  at  the  custom-house,  the  additional  wealth,  which, 
in  that  year,  accrued  to  the  nation  from  commerce,  was  undoubt 
edly  greater. 

20.  In  other  years,  the  commerce  of  the  country  has  flour 
ished   more.     In  1807,  the  exports  amounted  to  108,343,000 
dollars,  and  the  imports  to  138,574,000  dollars.     The  principal 
causes  of  the  decline  which  has  taken  place,  have  been,  the  re 
storation  of  peace  in  Europe,  and  the  increase  of  the  product  of 
domestic  manufactures.     The  former  has  permitted  all  other 
nations  to  become  our  competitors ;  the  latter  has  rendered  it 
unnecessary  to  resort  to  Europe  for  most  of  the  conveniences 
and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life.    The  depression  will  not  long 
continue.     The  independence  of  the  South  American  republics 
has  opened  a  wide  field  for  the  enterprise  of  our  merchants,  and 
given  a  brighter  hue  to  their  future  prospects, 

21.  The  COD  FISHERY  on  the  north  eastern  coast  of  America 
attracted,  at  an  early  period,  the  attention  of  the  wrorld.     In 
1583,  sir  Humphrey  Gilbert  found  thirty  six  vessels  fishing  in 


APPENDIX.  269 

the  harbor  of  St.  John,  in  Newfoundland,  They  were  princi 
pally  from  Biscay,  in  Spain,  and  Britany  in  France,  and,  for 
many  years,  the  French  retained  almost  a  monopoly  of  (his 
source  of  wealth.  In  1744,  they  employed,  in  this  fishery,  114 
large  ships,  navigated  by  about  24,000  seamen,  and  Inequality 
ef  fish  taken  amounted  to  1,149,000  quintals. 

22.  The  war  of  1756,  expelling  the  French  from  the  coin 
nent,  transferred  the  privileges  which  they  had  enjoyed  to  Great 
Britain.     The  English  colonies,  from  their  vicinity,  participated 
largely  in  them.     In  the  year  1760,  six  hundred  and  sixty  ves* 
sels,  navigated  by  4,400  seamen,  were  fitted  out  from  the  ports 
ef  New-England.     During  the  revolutionary  war,  the  Ameri 
cans  were  compelled  to  relinquish  this  profitable  pursuit ;  and  it 
required  all  the  firmness  and  address  of  the  negotiators  of  the 
peace  of  1783,  to  secure  to  these  states  those  advantages  which 
nature  seems  to  have  intended  for  them,  and  which  they  had  en 
joyed  as  a  component  part  of  the  British  empire.     They  were 
at  length,  however,  notwithstanding  the    covert   opposition  of 
France,  conceded  by  the  mother  country. 

23.  From  that  period,  till  1807,  the  number  of  vessels  and 
men  employed  in  this  pursuit  continued  to  increase.     An  esti 
mate  has  been  made  that,  from  1790  to  1810,  twelve  hundred 
vessels  of  all  kinds,  navigated  by  10,500  men  and  boys,  were, 
on  an  average,  yearly  employed  in  the  Bank, Bay,  and  Labrador 
fisheries  ;  1,150,000  quintals  of  fish  were  caught  and  cured;  and 
37,000  barrels  of  oil  were  made.     The  annual  value  of  the  pro 
duct  of  these  fisheries  could  not  have  been  less  than  three  arid  a 
half  millions  of  dollars.     They  were  interrupted  by  the  last  war 
with  Great  Britain,  and  have  not  since  regained  their  former 
activity.     As  nurseries  of  seamen,  they  are  important  to  the  na 
tion  ;  and  as  such  have  received  the  particular  attention  and  en 
couragement  of  government.     A  bounty  which  has,   in  some 
years,  amounted  to  200,000  dollars,  is  paid  to  the  owners  and 
crews  of  the  vessels  employed. 

24.  The  WHALE  FISHERY  of  the  United  States  ought  not  to 
be  passed  over  unnoticed.     Its  successful  prosecution  requires 
uncommon  hardihood  and  skill.     As  early  as  1690,  the  inhabi 
tants  of  Nantuckci.  engaged  in  this  pursuit,  and  were  soon  after 
joined  by  their  brethren  of  the  town  of  New-Bedford.     In  a 
few  years,  these  monsters  of  the  deep  were  driven  from  the 
American  coasts ;  but  were  pursued  with  ardor  into  seas  the  most 
remote.     In  1715,  two  hundred  and  twenty  eignt  tons  ;  in  1771, 
twenty-seven  thousand  tons;  in  1815,  forty  two  thousand  tons 
of  shipping  were  employed  in  this  business.     The  product  of 

72 


270  APPENDIX. 

this  fishery,  exported  in  1807,  consisting  of  common  and  sper 
maceti  oil  and  whale-bone,  was  valued  at  606,000  dollars ;  in 
1823,  at  653,000  dollars. 

25.  An  extract  from  the  speech  of  Mr.  Burke  delivered  in 
the  British  Parliament,  in  1775,  presents,  in  eloquent  language, 
a  correct  idea  of  the  importance  of  this  fishery,  and  of  the  en 
terprise   and  dexterity  of  those   engaged   in   it.     "  As  to  the 
wealth  which  the  colonies  have  drawn  from  the  sea  by  their 
fisheries,  you  had  all  that  matter  fully  opened  at  your  bar.     You 
surely  thought  those  acquisitions  of  value ;    for  they  seemed 
even  to  excite  your  envy  ;  and  yet  the  spirit  by  which  that  enter 
prising  employment  has  been  exercised,  ought  rather,  in  my 
opinion,  to  have  raised  your  esteem  and  admiration. 

26.  "  And  pray,  sir,  what  in  the  world  is  equal  to  it?  Pass  by 
the  other  parts,  and  look  at.  the  manner  in  which  the  people  of 
New-England  have  of  late  carried  on  the  whale  fishery.   While 
we  follow  them  among  the  tumbling  mountains  of  ice,  and  be 
hold  them  penetrating  into  the  deepest  frozen  recesses  of  Hud 
son's  bay  and  Davis's  straits ;  whilst  we  are  looking  for  them 
beneath  the  arctic  circle,  we  hear  that  they  have  pierced  into 
the  opposite  region  of  polar  cold ;  that  they  are  at  the  Antipodes, 
and  engaged  under  the  frozen  serpent  of  the  south.     Falkland 
Island,  which  seemed  too  remote  and  romantic  an  object  for  the 
grasp  of  national  ambition,  is  but  a  stage  and  resting  place  in  the 
progress  of  their  victorious  industry. 

27.  "Nor  is  the  equinoctial  heat  more  discouraging  to  them 
than  the  accumulated  winter  of  both  poles.     We  know  that, 
while  some  of  them  draw  the  line  and  strike  the  harpoon  on  the 
coasts  of  Africa,  others  run  the  longitude  and  pursue  the  gigan 
tic  game  along  the  coast  of  Brazil.     No  sea  but  what  is  vexed 
by  their  fisheries.     No  climate  that  is  not  witness  to  their  toils. 
Neither  the  perseverance  of  Holland,  nor  the  activity  of  France, 
nor  the  dexterous  and  firm  sagacity  of  English  enterprise,  ever 
carried  this  most  perilous  mode  of  hardy  industry  to  the  extent 
to  which  it  has  been  pushed  by  this  recent  people ;  a  people 
who  are  still,  as  it  were,  but  in  the  gristle  and  not  yet  hardened 
into  the  bone  of  manhood. 

28.  "When  I  contemplate  these  things;  when  I  know  that 
the  colonies  owe  little  or  nothing  to  any  care  of  ours,  and  that 
they  are  not  squeezed  into  this  happy  form  by  the  constraints  of 
watchful  and  suspicious  government,  but  that,  through  a  wise 
and  salutary  neglect,  a  generous  nature  has  been  suffered  to  take 
its  own  way  to  perfection ;  when  I  reflect  upon  these  effects, 
when  I  see  how  profitable  they  have  been  to  us,  I  feel  all  the 
pride  of  power  sink,  and  all  presumption  in  the  wisdom  o£ 


APPENDIX.  271 

human  contrivances  melt  and  die  away  within  me.     My  rigor 
relents.     I  pardon  something  to  the  spirit  of  liberty." 

29.  MANUFACTURES. — While  the  United  States  were  colo 
nies,  the  mother  country  endeavoured  to  prevent  the  inhabitants 
from  manufacturing  any  article  whatever,  even  for  Uieir  own 
use.     The  erection  of  slitting-mills  was  prohibited,  and  hatters 
were  forbidden  to  take  any  apprentice  for  less  than  seven  years, 
or  to  employ  more  than  two  at  a  time.     In  addition  to  these  and 
other  legislative  enactments,  the  wages  of  labour  were  high, 
and,  neither  skill  nor  surplus  capital  existed  in  the  country.  Buv 
little  attention  wras  of  course  given  to  manufactures,  and  the  in 
habitants  received  their  supplies  from  the  artizans  of  England. 

30.  Some  attempts  were  however  made,  a  few  years  previour 
to  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war,  to  introduce 
manufactures.     Such  was  in  part  the  intention  of  the  non-im 
portation  agreements ;  and  some  of  the  colonial  legislatures,  to 
encourage  the  production  of   wool,   and  the   manufacture   of 
cloths,  exempted  sheep  from  taxation.     But,  at  no  time,  previ 
ous  to   the   adoption   of  the    constitution,  did    manufacturers 
exist  in  the  country  in  sufficient  number  to  be  considered  a  class 
of  the  population. 

31.  And  indeed  it  was  not  until  the  imposition  of  the  embar 
go,  in  1807,  that  any  considerable  impulse  was  given  to  this 
branch  of  industry.     Prevented   by  this  interruption  of  com 
merce,  from  exchanging  their  products  for  foreign  articles,  the 
inhabitants   then  attempted  to  fabricate  them  for  themselves. 
From  the  want  of  experience  and  skill,  many  of  the  first  at 
tempts  were  unsuccessful ;  but  in  a  very  short  time,  these  defi 
ciencies  were  supplied,  and,  at  the  close  of  the  war,  the  amount 
of   the   products    of    manufactures    was   astonishingly  great. 
Forming  an  estimate  from  the  amount  in  1810,  which  was  neai 
170  millions,  it  could  not  ha^e  been  Jess,  for  1814,  than  two 
hundred  millions  of  dollars.      in  this  amount,  however,  are  in 
cluded  the  products   of  household   manufactures,  and  of  the 
mechanic  artsi 

32.  Peace,  by  affording  to  foreigners  on  opportunity  of  intro 
ducing  the  goods  which  had  accumulated  in  their  ware-houses, 
checked,  for   a  few  years,  the  impulse  which  the  restrictive 
measures  and  the  war  had  given.     In  each  of  the  three  years 
following  1815,  the  value  of  articles  manufactured  was  probably 
less  than  in  any  one  of  the  preceding  six  years.    From  the  year 
1818,  the   amount  has  frradually  increased,  and  in   1821  and 
1822,  it  was  probably  greated  than  it  had  ever  before  been.    It 
will  hereafter  continue  to  increase,  and  the  navigation  of  the 
country  will  be  employed,  not  so  much  in  bringing  home  the 


272  APPENDIX. 

manufactures  of  other  nations,  as  in  carrying  abroad  those  of 
the  United  States.  In  this  way,  domestic  manufactures  will 
repay  to  commerce  the  capital  they  have  lately  drawn  from  it. 

33.  The  states  in  which  the  greatest  attention  is  devoted  to 
this  branch  of  industry,  are   Rhode-Island,  Pennsylvania,  Mas 
sachusetts,  New-Hampshire,  and  Connecticut.     The  principal 
manufactures  are  those  of  cotton  and  of  woollen  cloths,  of  iron, 
and  of  leather.     In  1820,  the  number  of  inhabitants  engaged 
m  manufactures  was  349,506. 

34.  The  question,  whether  agriculture,  commerce,  or  manu 
factures  is  most  productive  of  national  wealth,  and   to  which 
the  government  ought,  in  preference,  to  extend  its  protection 
and  encouragement,  has  lately  been  warmly  discussed,  by  the 
politicians  and  writers  on  political  economy,  in  America,  and  in 
Europe.     Each  interest  had  its  advocates.    The  decision  of  the 
impartial  statesman  would  probably  be,  that  neither  should  be 
encouraged  to  the  neglect  of  the  others  ;  that  if  either  is,  in 
any  degree,  to  be  preferred,  it  is  that  which  is,  at  the  time,  the 
most  depressed ;   or  that  which  supplies  most  of  the  means  of 
national  defence,  and  most  of  the  necessaries  and  conveniences 
of  life. 

35.  DEBT,  REVENUE,  and  EXPENDITURES. — When,  in  1790, 
the  public  debt  was  first  funded,  it  amounted  to  about  75,000,000 
of  dollars.     In  1803,  by  the  purchase  of  Louisiana,  it  was  aug 
mented  to  about  85,500,000.    In  the  eight  years  which  followed, 
a  large  amount  was  paid,  leaving  due,  in  1812,  but  little  more 
than  45,000,000.     To  defray  the  expenses  of  the  war,  which 
was  declared  in  that  year,  more  than  80,000,000  of  new  debt 
was  contracted.   A  large  portion  has  since  been  paid,  and,  on  the 
first  day  of  January,  1623,  the  amount   of  it  was  90,865,877 
dollars. 

36.  The  present  revenue  of  the  republic  i. is  derived  princi 
pally  from  commerce,  and  from  the  sale  of  public  lands.     In 
1822,  there    accrued   from    the   former  source,   the    sum   of 
20,500,775  dollars  ;  from  the  latter  source,  1,803,581 ;  and  frorn 
other  sources,  839,084.     The  amount,  however,  which  was  ac 
tually  received,  during  the  year,  was  but  20,232,427. 

37.  The  expenditures,  during  the  same  year,  were  as  follows  : 
Civil,  diplomatic,  and  miscellaneous,  1,967,996  ;  for  the  pay  and 
support  of  the  army,  the  construction  of  forts,  the  supply    of 
arms,  the  payment  ot  pensions,  and  the  various  expenses  of  the 
Indian  department,  5,635,188;  for  the  support  and  increase  of 
the  navy,  2,224,458  ;  for  the  payment  of  the  interest,  and  for 
the  redemption  of  that  portion  of  the  principal  of  the  debt  which 
became  due  within  the.year,  7,848,949  ;  amounting  in  the  whole 


APPENDIX.  273 

to  17,676,591,  and  leaving  an  excess  of  revenue  over  expendi 
ture  of  2,555,836  dollars. 

38.  EDUCATION. — In  the  kingdoms  of  Europe,  large  sums 
have  been  appropriated,  by  the  government,  for  the  purposes  of 
education.     Nearly  all,  however,  has  been  expended  in  found 
ing  or  endowing  universities.     To  these  the  sons  of  the  noble 
and  the  rich  could  alone  gain  access  ;  and  the  intention  and  ef 
fect  of  the  expenditure  has  always  been,  to  produce  erudite 
scholars  and  able  orators,  and  to  perpetuate  and  widen  the  sepa 
ration  between  the  higher  and  the  lower  classes  of  the  popula 
tion. 

39.  The  people  of  the  United  States  have  had  a  different  ob 
ject  in  view,  and  one  more  congenial  with  their  political  institu 
tions.     Desirous  that  none  should  be  ignorant,  theii*  first  and 
principal  care  has  been,  to  impart  the  advantages  of  instruction 
to  the  whole  mass  of  the  population.     With  this  view,  the  legis 
latures  of  many  of  the  states  have  ordained  that  schools,  for  the 
education  of  all  the  youth  in  reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic, 
shall  be  kept,  and  supported  by  a  public  and  general  tax. 

40.  This  system  was  adopted  in  Massachusetts  as  early  aa 
1647.     A  law  was  then  passed,  by  that  colony,  providing  that  a 
school  should  be  kept  in  every  township  having  fifty  household 
ers,  in  which  all  the  children,  who  might  resort  to  it,  should  be 
taught  to  read  and  write.     As  the  number  of  inhabitants  in 
creased,  the  townships  were  divided  into  small  districts,  and  a 
school  supported  in  each.     Thus,  the  means  of  education  were 
provided,  at  the  public  expense,  and  the  opportunity  of  acquir 
ing  it  placed  within  the  power  of  all. 

41.  Immediately  after  their  first  settlement,  the  same  system 
was  adopted  by  the  other  colonies  of  New-England  ;  and  it  has, 
by  all  of  them,  been  preserved  and  cherished  to  the  present  time. 
Connecticut,  having  a  large  tract  of  land  in  Ohio,  which  was 
sold  for  1,200,000  dollars,  appropriated  the  whole  sum  to  the 
support  of  common  or  primary  schools.     The  sum  has  since 
been  augmented  to  1,700,000  dollars,  and  the  interest  is  annually 
distributed  to  the  several  school  districts,  according  to  the  num 
ber  of  scholars  taught  in  each.     No  district,  however,  is  enti 
tled  to  any  aid  from  this  fund,  unless  it  had,  in  the  preceding 
year,  expended,  for  the  same  purpose,  a  certain  amount  derived 
from  its  own  resources. 

42.  The  effect  of  this  system  has  been,  to  render  the  great 
body  of  the  people  of  these  states  the  most  enlightened  in  the 
world.     All  can  read  and  write,  and  rarely  can  one  be  found  not 
qualified,  by  education,  to  transact  the  common  concerns  of  life. 
To  educate  his  children,  is  the  first  object,  and  the  chief  glory 


274  APPENDIX. 

of  the  parent ;  their  ignorance  is  to  him  and  to  them  disgrace 
ful.  In  these  schools,  the  human  mind  receives  its  first  impulse 
in  the  career  of  learning  ;  an  impulse  which  carries  many  for 
ward  to  high  stations  of  honor  and  of  usefulness. 

43.  The  great  state  of  New- York,  distinguished  for  magni 
ficent  projects  of  internal  improvement,  and  for  liberal  patron 
age  of  literature  and  the  arts,  has  lately  adopted  a  system  nearly 
similar  to  that  of  Connecticut.     From  various  sources,  it  has 
accumulated  a  fund,  the  income  of  which  is  to  be  applied  annu 
ally  to  the  support  of  common  schools.     This  fund,  in   1820, 
amounted  to  1,215.000  dollars.     Since  that  year,  all  the  unsold 
and  unappropriated  lands,  which,  when  disposed  of,  will  proba 
bly  produce  about  one  million  more,  have  been  permanently  de 
voted  to  the  same  object.     The  annual  interest  of  this  fund  is 
distributed,  according  to  population,  among  the  several  town 
ships,  on  their  raising,  for  the  same  purpose,  an  additional  sum 
equal  to  that  which  they  receive  from  the  state.     In  1821,  three 
hundred  and  thirty-three  thousand  children  were  taught,  in  the 
several  district  schools ;  a  number  nearly  equal  to  that  of  all  the 
children  in  the  state  between  five  and  fifteen  years  of  age.     In 
1823,  the  number  taught  was  400,000. 

44.  Virginia  has  also  a  literary  fund,  the  interest  of  a  part  of 
which  is  appropriated  for  the  support  of  common  schools.    This 
fund  is  of  recent  origin,  and  its  income  is  yet  small.     The  ad 
vantages  of  education  are,  however,  so  highly  appreciated  in  that 
state,  by  its  enlightened  citizens,  that  most  of  the  rising  genera 
tion  are  instructed  in  private  schools,  or  by  domestic  teachers. 
The  same  remark  will  apply  to  most  of  the  middle  and  southern 
states  ;  yet,  in  these,  too  many  of  the  children  of  the  poor  will 
remain  in  ignorance  until  effectual  provision  is  made,  by  the  re 
spective  governments,  for  the  instruction  of  all. 

45.  The  national  government  has  not  been  unmindful  of  the 
importance  of  universal  education.     Before  the  adoption  of  the 
constitution,  it  acquired,  by  the  cession  of  the  states  claiming  it, 
the  property  of  nearly  all  the  unappropriated  land  within  the  na 
tional  boundaries.     In  offering  this  land  for  sale,  it  has  reserved, 
in  every  township,  one  section,  comprising  640  acres,  for  the  use 
of  schools.     As  the  population  of  the  new  states  becomes  more 
dense,  these  lands  will  constitute  a  valuable  and  productive  fund, 
and  the  system  of  free  schools  thus  planted  in  the  western,  will 
there  produce  the  same  beneiits  as  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the 
union. 

46.  Schools  of  a  higher  order,  to  which  the  name  of  acade 
mies  has  been  applied,  are  numerous  in  all  the  states,  especially 
in  those  of  JNTe\\  England.     Many  are  incorporated,  and  some 


APPENDIX,  275 

possess  considerable  funds.  That  at  Exeter,  in  New-Hamp 
shire,  holds  the  highest  rank ;  its  funds  amount  to  80,000  dol 
lars  ;  it  has  a  library  containing  700  volumes,  and  a  handsome 
philosophical  apparatus.  In  these  schools  are  taught  English 
grammar,  composition,  history,  geography,  mathematics,  the 
Latin  and  Greek  languages.  Many  young  men  resort  to  them 
to  acquire  an  education  superior  to  that  which  can  be  obtained  at 
the  primary  schools,  and  many  to  prepare  themselves  to  enter 
some  college  or  university.  They  are  principally  taught  by 
those,  who  have  just  received  a  decree  in  the  arts,  and  who  are 
unable,  from  the  want  of  property,  to  engage  immediately  in  the 
study  of  the  professions  which  they  intend  to  pursue. 

47.  Of  colleges  and  universities  there  is  also  a  large  number 
in  the  United  States.     The  oldest  and  first  in  rank  is  Harvard 
College,  at  Cambridge,  Massachusetts.     It  was  established  in 
1638,  only  eighteen  years  after  the  first  settlement  of  Plymouth. 
It  had  then  a  fund  of  about  5,000  dollars,  nearly  two  thirds  of 
which  was  a  donation  from  the  Rev.  John  Harvard,  of  Charles- 
town.     The   first  degrees   were  conferred,   upon  nine  young 
gentlemen,  in  1642.     It  has  since  received  many  and  large  ad 
ditions  to  its  funds,  principally  donations  from  individuals ;  and, 
from  the  exertions  of  its  learned  presidents  and  professors,  has 
with  short  intermissions,  been  constantly  advancing  in  reputa 
tion,  and  increasing  in  usefulness.     The  library  contains  about 
twenty-five  thousand  volumes.     In   1824,  the  faculty  consisted 
of  a  president,  and  twenty  professors  ;  the  number  of  students 
was  222,  and  of  the  resident  graduates  146. 

48.  Yale  College  was  founded  in  1700,  and  -incorporated  in 
1701.     It  was  first  established  at  Saybrook ;  but,  in  1716,  was 
removed  to  New-Haven,  in  Connecticut.     Elihu  Yale,  a  mer 
chant  in  London,  having  made  to  it  a  donation  of  more  than  four 
thousand  dollars,  its  name  was,  in  1718,  changed  from  the  Col 
legiate  School,  to  Yale  College.     Afterwards  bishop  Berkeley, 
the  celebrated  metaphysician,  who  had  resided  two  years  in  Ame 
rica,  presented  to  it  a  collection  of  books,  consisting  of  nearly 
one  thousand  volumes  ;  and  a  farm  in  Newport,  the  annual  rent 
of  which,  on  a  long  lease,  is  two  hundred  and  forty  bushels  of 
wheat.     From  the  state,  and  from  other  sources,  it  has  received 
many  liberal  donations.    Its  libraries  contain  about  nine  thousand 
volumes.     In  1824,  the  faculty  consisted  of  a  president,  and 
eleven  professors,  and  the  number  of  its  students  was  349. 

49.  In  addition  to  these,  there  are,  in  the  union,  about  fifty 
colleges  and  universities  authorized  to  confer  degrees.     In  all  of 
these  are  taught,  the  English,  Latin,  and  Greek  languages,  rhe- 

iCj  mathematics,  natural  philosophy,  logic,  chymistry,  astrono 


276  APPENDIX 

my,  histon ,  *fcd  geography.  In  some  of  them  are  also  taught 
the  Hebrew,  oriental,  and  modern  European  languages;  anato 
my,  surgery,  medicine,  botany,  polite  literature,  divinity,  ethics, 
natural  and  municipal  law,  politics,  and  elocution. 

50.  LITERATURE. — The  remark  has  often  been  made,  that  the 
"United  States  have  produced  no  eminent  scholars  ;  and  that  the 
national  character  has  not  been  illustrated  by  literary  and  scien 
tific  performances    of  distinguished  merit.     This    remark   is 
doubtless  just.     Compared  with  those  of  the  old  world,  their 
writers  have  not  exhibited  the  same  labored  polish  of  style,  nor 
their  men  of  science  the  same  perseverance  and  extent  of  investi 
gation.     Their  historians  are  not  equal  to  Hume  or  Robertson ; 
their  poets  to  Milton  or  Pope ;  their  chemists  to  Lavoisier  01 
Davy  ;  nor  their  metaphysicians  to  Locke,  Berkeley,  or  Reid, 

51.  But  this  fact  implies  no  deficiency  of  mental  vigor  in  the 
people.     The  mind  of  the  nation  has  received,  from  circum 
stances,  a  different  direction.     Those  who  are  endued  with  ex 
traordinary  talent,  whatever  may  have  been  their  original  pro 
pensities,  have  been  called  from  the  closet  to  labor  in  the  legisla 
tive  hall,  or  the  cabinet ;  to  vindicate  the  cause  or  defend  the  in 
terest  of  their    country  abroad  ;  to  dispense  justice  from  the 
bench,  or  to  support  and  defend,  at  the  bar,  the  claims  and  the 
rights  of  their  fellow  citizens. 

52.  To  perform  these  duties,  certainly  not  less  honorable  nor 
less  difficult  than  any  thing  which  the  mere  scholar  can  perform, 
a  greater  variety  of  talents,  and  greater  intellectual  labor,  have 
been  required  in  this  than  in  any  other  country.     Here,  in  com 
paratively  a  short  period,  the  foundations  have  been  laid,  and  the 
superstructures  erected,  of  new  political   institutions.     Many 
governments  have  been  established  over  communities  differing 
from  each  other,  and  from  those  of  Europe ;  and  over  these  a 
paramount  government,  with  extensive  and  important  powers. 
For  each  of  these  communities,  a  new  system  of  law  has  been 
required,  and  each  government  has  a  separate  executive,  legisla 
tive,  and  judicial  department.     The  population  of  no  country 
has  been  called  upon  to  supply  such  a  number  of  legislators,  of 
judges,  and  of  ^awyers  ;  nor,  it  may  be  added,  of  instructers  of 
youth.     And,  while  their  number  accounts  for  the  comparative 
neglect  of  literature  and  the  fine  arts,  the  talents  they  have  dis 
played  sufficiently  vindicate  the  republic  from  the  reproach  of 
intellectual  inferiority. 

53.  But  not  in  these  modes  alone  have  the  people  of  these 
states  proved,  that  in  original  powers  of  mind  they  may  assert 
an  equality,  at  least,  with  those  of  any  other  nation.     None  has 
made  more  important  discoveries  in  the  useful  arts.     England 


APPENDIX.  277 

boasts  of  her  Arkwright,  who  invented  the  spinning  machine; 
of  her  Worcester,  Newcomen,  and  Watt,  by  whose  ingenuity 
and  labors  the  powers  of  steam  were  substituted  for  the  uncer 
tain  aid  of  wind  and  water  in  moving  the  machinery  of  manu 
factories. 

54.  America  may  boast  of*  her  Godfrey,  whose  quadrant  has 
been  almost  as  serviceable,  as  the  compass,  to  navigation ;  of  her 
Franklin,  who  has  made  our  dwellings  comfortable  within,  and 
protected  them  from  the  lightning  of  heaven ;  of  her  Whitney, 
whose  cotton  gin  has  added  to  the  annual  product  of  that  article 
at  least  one  hundred  millions  of  pounds  ;  of  her  Whittemore,  the 
inventor  of  the  wonderful  machine  for  making  cards;  of  her 
Perkins,  the  inventor  of  the  nail  machine  ;  and  of  her  Fulton, 
who  has  rendered  the  power  of  steam  subservient  to  the  pur 
poses  of  navigation. 

55.  But  the  United  States  have  produced  authors  who  would 
do  honor  even  to  any  other  nation.     The  style  of  Franklin  is 
perspicuous  and  pure  ;  and  few  men  of  any  age  or  country  have 
contributed  more  by  their  writings,  to  enlighten  and  to  benefit 
mankind.     The  histories  of  Marshall,  Ramsay,  Belknap,  Wil 
liams,  and  the  Annals  of  Holmes,  are  works  of  sterling  merit, 
interesting,  and  instructive.     Among  theological  writers,  Ed 
wards,  Hopkins,  Dwight,  Lathrop,  Davies,  Kollock,  and  Buck- 
minster,  are  deservedly  eminent.     And  as  a  novelist,  Brown  has 
few  equals. 

56.  Many  of  the  political  writers  of  this  country  have  dis 
played  great  vigor  of  thought,  and  force  of  expression.     The 
pamphlets  and  state  papers  to  which  the  revolutionary  struggle 
i>-ave  existence  ;  the  numbers  of  the  Federalist ;  the  official  let 
ters  of  Mr.  Jefferson,  as  secretary  of  state,  and  of  the  Ameri 
can  ministers  at  Ghent,  not  only  display  intellectual  powers,  but 
possess  literary  merit,  of  the  highest  order.     Some  of  the  best 
writers  of  this  republic  have  not  been  the  authors  of  books. 

57.  To  the  fine  arts  still  less  attention  has  been  paid  than  to 
literature ;  but  the  neglect  is  to  be  attributed  rather  to  the  defi 
ciency  of  patronage  than  to  the  want  of  capacity  to  excel.    Ben 
jamin  West,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  presided  for  many  years 
over  the  Royal  Society,  comprising  the  most  eminent  painters 
of  Great  Britain.     In  portrait-painting,  Copley  and  Stuart  have 
acquired  a  high  reputation ;  and  in  historical  painting,  Trumbull 
and  Alston  excel.     The  United  States  claim  only  the  honor  of 
their  birth ;  England  and  Italy  that  of  patronizing  and  instructing 
them. 

58.  RELIGION. — The  consequences  resulting  from  the  enjoy 
ment  of  religious  liberty  have  been  highly  favorable.     Free 

2  A 


276  APPENDIX. 

discussion  has  enlightened  the  ignorant,  disarmed  superstition  of 
its  dreadful  powers,  and  consigned  to  oblivion  many  erroneous 
and  fantastic  creeds.  Religious  oppression,  and  the  vindictive 
feelings  it  arouses,  are  hardly  known.  Catholics  and  Protes 
tants  live  together  in  harmony ;  and  protestants  who  disagree, 
employ,  in  defending  their  own  doctrines,  and  in  assailing  those 
of  their  antagonists,  the  weapons  only  of  reason  and  eloquence. 

59.  In  the  New-England  states,  the  independents  or  congre- 
gationalists  constitute  the  most  numerous  denomination  ;  in  the 
middle  states,  the  presbyterians  ;  and  in  the  southern,  the  me- 
thodists.      Baptists,   episcopalians,   and   Roman   catholics,  are 
found  in  all  the  states;  but  in   Maryland  and  Louisiana,  the 
catholics  are  more  numerous  than  elsewhere.     Each  of  these 
sects  has  one  or  more  seminaries  of  learning,  in  which  its  pe 
culiar  doctrines  are  taught,  and  young  men  are  educated  for  the 
ministry.     Many  other  sects  exist,  but  reason,  less  tolerant  than 
the  laws,  is  gradually  diminishing  the  number. 

60.  CHARACTER  AND  MANNERS. — Foreigners  have  asserted 
that  the  Americans  possess  no  national  character.     If  at  any 
period  this  assertion  has  been  true,  it  was  then  no  reproach.   In 
its  youth,  a  rial  ion  can  have  no  established  character.     The  in 
habitants  of   this  republic,  coming  from  every  quarter  of  the 
world,  speaking  many  different  languages,  dispersed  over  a  vast 
extent  of  territory,  could  not  immediately  assimilate  and  exhibit 
those  few  prominent  traits,  which  nations  as  well  as  individuals,, 
in  their  maturity,  displ:?/. 

61.  But  the  germ  of  a  national  character  has  always  existed. 
It  has  grown  with  our  growth,  and  is  gradually  throwing  into  the 
shade  those  unfavourable  and  discordant  traits,  which  have  dis 
figured  and  partly  concealed  it  from  view.     Who,  that  has  read 
the  history  of  these  states,  has  not  perceived,  in  the  inhabitants, 
an  energy  of  purpose  capable  of  surmounting  all  obstacles  ;   a 
spirit  of  enterprise,  that  leaves  nothing  useful  unattempted ;  a 
proud  sense  of  personal  dignity  and  independence  ;  a  decided 
preference  of  utility  before  show  ;  and  a  love  of  knowledge  that 
has  dispelled  ignorance  from  the  land  1  They  may  have  been  too 
much   devoted  to  the  pursuit  of  gain;  too  much  addicted  to 
habits  of  intemperance  ;  too  much  inflated  with  national  vanity  ; 
bigoted  and  superstitious :  but  these  traits  are  now  less  apparent ; 
they  are  constantly  melting  away,  and  those  more  noble  appear 
ing  in  bolder  relief. 

62.  They  whose  wealth  or  talents  place  them  in  the  first  rank 
in  society,  are,  in  their  manners,  free  from  awkwardness,  for 
mality,  haughtiness,  and  ostentation  ;  but  they  do  not  display  the 
*legance  or  refinement  of  the  same  class  in  Europe.  The  mass 


APPENDIX,  279 

of  the  people  are  serious,  shrewd,  inquisitive,  manly,  and 
generally  respectful ;  but  they  know  little,  and  practise  lr?s,  of 
the  ceremonies  of  formal  politeness.  To  foreigners,  accustomed 
to  the  servility  of  the  lower  classes  in  Europe,  they  doubde<*» 
often  appear  rough  and  uncourtly ;  and  many  fashionable  tourist* 
may  have  had  their  feelings  needlessly  wounded,  and  their  deli 
cacy  shocked  ;  but  when  respectfully  treated,  they  display  na 
tive  politeness,  and  generosity  of  sentiment.  Time  will  remove 
the  grosser  defects  ;  but  may  it  never,  by  polishing  too  deeply, 
impair  that  strength  of  character,  which  is  essential  to  the  per 
manence  of  our  republican  institutions. 


63.  A  review  of  the  rapid  progress  of  the  United  States  in 
population,  wealth,  and  power;  a  survey  of  their  present  physical 
and  moral  condition ;  and  a  comparison  of  them,  in  either  respect, 
with  other  nations,  cannot  fail  to  give  to  an  American  citizen 
an  elevated  conception  of  his  own  country,  and  to  justify  the 
loftiest  anticipations  of  the  future. 

64.  In  a  period  of  thirty  years,  ending  with  1820,  the  popula 
tion  of  the  republic  increased  from  3,893,835,  to  9,642,150; 
it  consequently  doubles  in  less  than  twenty-five  years.    In  Great 
Britain,  the  population  does  not  double  in  less  than  eighty  years  ; 
and  in  that  country  the  increase  is  nearly,  if  not  quite,  as  rapid 
as  in  any  other  in  Europe. 

65.  The  augmentation  of  wealth  and  power  cannot  be  so 
easily  ascertained.     It  is  the  opinion  of  many,  well  qualified  to 
judge,  that  it  has  been  still  more  rapid  ;  and  when  the  increase 
of  our  exports,  which  in  the  same  period  advanced  from  nine 
teen  to  sixty-five  millions ;  when  the  growth  of  our  cities  and 
villages  ;  the  increase  of  our  manufacturing  establishments,  of 
our  national  and  mercantile  navy,  of  our  fortifications  and  othef 
means  of  defence  ;  the  extent  of  our  internal  improvements ; 
and,  beyond  all,  the  extensive  territories  reclaimed  from  a  state 
of  nature  and  made  productive  and  valuable,  are  adverted  to, 
that  opinion  will  not  appear  unfounded  nor  extravagant. 

66.  Although  now  inferior  to  the  principal  nations  of  the  old 
world,  yet  but  a  short  period  will  elapse  before  the  United  States, 
should  their  progress  hereafter  be  the  same  that  it  has  been,  will 
overtake  and  pass  them.     Their  great  natural  advantages  will 
continue  to  urge  them  forward.     Extensive  tracts  of  fertile  land 
yet  remain  vacant  of  inhabitants ;  the  portions  already  settled  are 
capable  of  supporting  a  much  more  numerous  population;  new 
roads  and  new  canals  will  give  greater  activity  to  internal  com 
merce,  and  open  new  fields  to  the  untiring  industry  and  enter- 


280  APPENDIX. 

prise  of  man ;  and,  a  small  part  only  being  required  by  the 
government,  nearly  the  whole  annual  income  will  be  added  to  the 
general  capital,  augmenting  it  in^a  compound  ratio. 

67.  That  these  splendid  anticipations  are  not  the  suggestions 
of  national  vanity,  the  history  of  the  past  sufficiently  proves. 
Yet  their  fulfilment  depends,  in  a  great  degree,  upon  the  future 
conduct  of  the  people  themselves  ;  upon  their  adherence  to  the 
principles  of  their  fathers  ;  upon  the  preservation  of  free  political 
institutions,  of  industrious,  frugal,  and  moral  habits ;  and,  above 
all,  upon  the  universal  diffusion  of  knowledge- 

68.  This  truth  should  sink  deep  into  the  hearts  of  the  old  and 
the  young.     The  citizens  of  this  republic  should  never  forget 
the  awful  responsibilities  resting  upon  them.     They  constitute 
the  oldest  nation  on  this  western  hemisphere,  the  first  on  the  list 
of  existing  republics.     They  stand  forward,  the  object  of  hatred 
to  some,  of  admiration  to  many,  of  wonder  to  all ;  and  an  im 
pressive  example  to  the  people  of  every  country.     To  them  is 
committed  an  experiment,  successful  hitherto,  the  final  result  of 
which  must  have  a  powerful  influence  upon  the  destiny  of  man 
kind  ;  if  favorable  and  happy,  the  whole  civilized  world  will  be 
free  ;  if  adverse,  despotism  and  darkness  will  again  overshadow 
it.     May  they  ever  be  sensible  of  the  vast  importance  of  their 
example.     May  they  never  betray  their  sacred  trust. 


QUESTIONS 


TO 


KALE'S    HISTORY 


UNITED    STATES. 


"L  ?.B'  WAS  the  continent  of  America  known  to  the  ancients? 

2.  —  What  was  the  object  of  the  voyages  of  discovery  made  in  the  loth 

century  ? 

5.  —  Who  was  a  distinguished  navigator  of  that  age  ? 

4.  —  Where  was  he  born  ? 

5.  _  What  incidents  led  him  to  think  that  he  coulu  reach  the  East  la 

dies  by  sailing  west  ? 

6.  8.  To  whom  did  he  apply  for  assistance  ? 

7.  —  Who  became  his  friend  and  patron? 

8.  —  When  did  he  set  sail  ?    From  what  port  ? 

9.  —  What  course  did  he  steer  ? 

10.  —  What  phenomenon  was  first  observed  during  his  voyage? 

11.  —  How  did  his  crews  behave  ?    What  did  they  threaten  to  do  ? 

12.  9.  How  did  he  appease  them  ? 

13.  —  When  was  land  discovered  ? 

14.  10.  What  other  islands  did  he  discover  and  visit  ? 

15.  —  How  was  he  received  on  his  return  ? 

18.  —  Who  first  discovered  the  continent?     When? 

17.  11.  Upon  what  did  the  English  found  their  claim  to  the  eastern  portion 

of  North  America  ? 

18.  —  From  whom  does  the  continent  derive  its  name  ? 

19.  —  Who  is  supposed  to  have  entered  the  harbour  of  New- York '(  :- 

20.  —  What  induced  Cologui  to  attempt  a  settlement  in  America  ? 

21.  —  What  was  the  result  ? 

22.  12.  By  whom  was  the  second  attempt  made  ?     When?     Where  ? 

23.  —  Was  it  fortunate  ? 

24.  13.  On  what  occasion  was  the  spirit  of  adventure  revived  ? 

25.  —  Who  most  encouraged  the  scheme  of  colonization  ? 

26.  —  What  companies  were  formed  ? 

27.  —  What  territory  was  granted  to  each  ? 

28.  T—  What  privileges  were  secured  to  the  emiorants  ? 

29.  14.  When  was  Quebec  settled  ?    By  whom  7 


2  QUESTIONS, 

CHAPTER  I. 

Quest.  Page. 

30.  15.  By  what  company  was  Virginia  settled  1 

31.  —  How  many  persons  were  sent  over? 

32.  —  What  distinguished  man  was  among  them  ? 

33.  —  Relate  the  principal  events  of  his  life  ? 

34.  16.  When  did  the  adventurers  land  ?     At  what  place  ? 

35.  —  Who  was  elected  president  ?     Who  was  excluded  ? 

,     36.  —  What  was  the  character  of  the  aboriginal  inhabitants  ? 

1     37.  17.  What  happened  to  captain  Smith  ? 

38.  —  By  whom  was  he  preserved  from  death  ? 

39.  —  While  absent,  to  what  number  had  the  settlers  been  reduced? 

40.  —  How  many  came  with  Newport  ? 

41.  18.  How  did  Smith  employ  himself? 

42.  —  Was  he  chosen  president  ? 

43.  —  Relate  what  afterwards  occurred  ? 

44.  19.  What  induced  Smith  to  return  to  England  ? 

45.  —  What  was  the  consequence  ? 

46.  —  Who  were  successively  appointed  governors  ? 

47.  —  For  what  purpose  was  Ppcahontas  taken  ? 

48.  20.  What  is  related  concerning  her  ? 

49.  —  What  was  the  object  of  Argal's  expedition  in  1613  ? 

50.  —  What  did  he  accomplish  ? 

51.  —  What  instructions  were  given  by  king  James? 

52.  21.  When  did  governor  Yeardly  arrive  ? 

53.  —  What  did  he  do  which  gave  joy  to  the  people  ? 

54.  —  In  what  state  was  the  colony  at  this  period  ? 

55.  —  What  misfortune  happened  to  it  ? 

66.  22.  How  much  was  the  number  of  settlers  reduced? 

57.  —  Did  the  Virginians  depose  Harvey  ? 

58.  —  What  did  king  Charles  do  ? 

59.  23.  Who  succeeded  Harvey  ? 

60.  — •  WThom  did  the  Virginians  favour,  the  king  or  parliament? 

61.  —  What  did  the  parliament  do  ? 

62.  —  What  did  the  Virginians  do  on  the  death  of  Matthews  ? 

63.  —  Why  were  the  people  disaffected  ? 

64.  —  Who  was  the  leader  of  the  insurgents  ? 

65.  24.  Relate  the  incidents  of  the  rebellion. 

66.  —  What  was  the  conduct  of  Berkeley  towards  the  rebels? 

67.  25.  What  was  tiie  population  in  1688  ? 
68.-  —  How  was  the  cpiony  governed  ? 

69.  —  What  course  did  the  representatives  pursue  in  relation  to  slavery  ? 


CHAPTER  II. 

70.  26.  To  what  company  was  Massachusetts  granted  ? 

71.  —  When  were  the  first  men  sent  over  left? 

72.  —  When  and  why  did  they  return  to  England  ? 

73.  —  By  whom  was  the  coast  of  Massachusetts  surveyed  ? 

74.  —  In  that  age  what  was  the  maxim  of  all  ecclesiastics  and  politi 

cians  ? 

75.  27.    What  causes  induced  Mr.  Robinson's  congregation  to  remove  to 

Holland  ? 

76.  —     To  what  company  did  they  apply  for  a  prant  of  land  ? 

77.  —     To  what  part  were  they  earned  ? 

78.  —     What  did  they  do  before  leaving  the  ship  ? 

79.  __     When  did  thcv  land  ? 


QUESTIONS.  3 

80.  27*.  How  many  perished  during  the  winter  ? 

81.  28.  What  was  the  settlement  called  ? 

82.  —  What  was  the  population  in  1630  ? 

83.  —  What  directed  the  attention  of  others  to  New-England  ? 

84.  —  What  association  was  formed  in  1627? 

85.  —  Of  what  company  did  they  obtain  a  grant? 

86.  —  Where  did  the  people  they  sent  out  land  ? 

87.  —  What  were  the  provisions  of  the  charter  they  obtained  ? 

88.  —  Wl  iat  town  was  next  settled? 

89.  —  What  was  the  first  object  of  their  attention  ? 

90.  29.  What  number  perished  before  spring  ? 

91.  —  At  what  time  was  Boston  founded? 

92.  —  What  distinguished  lady  fell  a  victim  ? 

93.  —  How  many  perished  before  December? 

94.  30.  What  was  one  great  object  of  the  Puritans  ? 

95.  —  What  ordinance  was  passed  in  1631? 

96.  —  Were  the  Indians  numerous,  at  that  time,  in  New-Euglanc  ? 

97.  —  When  were  representatives  first  chosen  ? 

98.  —  Who  was  banished  from  Salem  ?    For  what  cause  ? 

99.  31.  What  distinguished  emigrants  came  in  16352 

100.  —  Relate  their  history. 

101.  —  Who  were  detained  by  king  Charles  ? 

J02.  32.  What  was  the  cause  of  the  first  war  with  the  Indians  ? 

103.  —  With  what  tribe  was  it  carried  on  ? 

104.  —  Which  party  was  victorious  ? 

105.  33.  What  cause  put  a  stop  to  emir/ration  ? 

106.  —  In  what  year  did  the  colonies  form  a  league? 

107.  34.  What  is  said  concerning  the  representatives  and  assistants? 

108.  —  Which  did  New-England  favour,  the  king  or  parliament  'i 

109.  —  What  propositions  did  Cromwell  make  to  the  colonists  ? 

110.  —  When  was  New-Hampshire  incorporated   with  Massachusetts? 

When  was  Maine  ? 

111.  35.  What  law  was  made  against  Quakers? 

112.  —  What  distinguished  individuals  came  to  New-England  about  this 

time  ? 

113.  —  How  were  they  received  ?    Where  did  they  reside  ? 

1 14.  36.  What  law  was  enacted  by  England  in  1663? 

1 15.  37.  What  measure  was  adopted  by  the  king  in  1664  ? 
1  16.  —  What  was  the  conduct  of  the"  commissioners  ? 

117.  —  How  many  towns  and  inhabitants  did  New-England  contain  at  the 

end  of  50  years  from  the  settlement  of  Plymouth? 

119.  38.  What  were  the  causes  of  Philip's  war  ? 

119.  —  Where  were  the  first  acts  of  hostility  committed  ? 

120.  39.  Did  the  colonists  suffer  much  injury  from  the  savages  ? 

121.  —  In  what  manner  was  the  war  carried  on  ? 

122.  40.  What  was  the  result  of  the  great  battle  fought  December  18  ?   . 

123.  —  What  feelings  did  Philip  exhibit  ? 

124.  —  What  was  his  fate  ? 

155.  —  What  losses  were  sustained  in  this  war? 

1 26.  —  When  was  New  Hampshire  made  a  separate  colony  ? 

127.  41.  For  what  purpose  was  Edward  Randolph  sent  over/ 

128.  —  What  was  done  in  relation  to  the  charter  ? 

129.  —  What  was  the  character  and  conduct  of  Andross  ? 

130.  —  How  did  the  people  treat  Andross  and  his  adherents  ? 

131.  42.  What  was  the  result  of  the  expedition  to  Canada  ? 

132.  —  How  did  Massachusetts  pay  her  troops  ? 

133.  —  What  were  the  provisions  of  the  new  charter  ? 

134.  43.  Who  was  the  first  governor  under  the  new  charter  ? 

135]  What  distinguished  the  commencement  of  his  administration  7 

136.  —  What  causes  produced  the  delusion  ? 

137.  44.  How  many  charged  with  witchcraft  were  executed  ? 
13R.  What  law  was  passed  at  the  first  session  ? 


4  QUESTIONS 

Quest.      Page. 

139.  44.      What  war  existed  at  this  period  ? 

140.  45.  When  was  Deerfield  attacked  ? 

141.  —  How  many  were  killed  and  made  prisoners? 

142.  —  Who  were  among  the  prisoners? 

143.  —  How  were  they  treated  ? 

144.  —  What  was  the  Indian  mode  of  warfare  ? 

145.  __  What  expedition  was  fitted  out  in  1707  ? 

146.  —  What  in  171,0?    What  was  accomplished  ? 

147.  _  What  expedition  was  fitted  out  in  1711  ? 
1-18.  46.  What  misfortune  occurred  to  the  fleet  ? 
149.  _  What  was  the  event  of  the  expedition  ? 
}  50.  —  W'hcn  was  peace  concluded  ? 

151.  —  What  was  the  effect  of  this  war  upon  New-England  ? 

152.  —  Who  was  appointed  governor  in  1716? 

153.  —  What  question  agitated  the  people  when  he  arrived  ? 

154.  47.  What  act  of  his  displeased  the  assembly? 

155.  —  Whose  conduct  did  the  people  approve  ? 

1 56.  —  What  vote  was  passed  respecting  the  governor's  salary  ? 

157.  __  What  instructions  did  the  king  give  ?  ,  t 

158.  —  Did  the  assembly  comply  ? 

159.  —  What  steps  did  the  governor  take  ? 

160.  48.  Who  was  the  next  governor  ? 

161.  —  What  took  place  between  him  and  the  assembly  ? 

162.  —  How  was  the  controversy  suspended? 

163.  —  Who  succeeded  governor  Burnett  ? 

164.  —  How  was  the  long  controversy  terminated? 

165.  49.  Who  was  appointed  governor  in  1740? 

1 66.  —  What  event  occurred  in  1 744  ? 

)67.  —  From  what  port  were  privateers  fitted  out? 

168.  —  What  expedition  was  concerted  in  1745  ? 

1 69.  —  By  whom  was  it  proposed  ? 

1 70.  -—  Did  the  General  Court  in  the  end  agree  to  it  ? 

171.  _  What  colonies  furnished  assistance  1 

172.  ,,£0.  What  naval  force  co-operated? 

1 73.  _  What  fortunate  events  occurred  ? 

174.  51.  What  was  the  result  of  the  expedition  ? 

175.  —  What  measure  did  France  adopt  the  next  summer  ? 

176.  —  At  what  time  was  peace  concluded  ? 

177.  —  What  were  the  terms  of  this  peace  ? 

178.  —  What  became  of  the  bills  of  credit  ? 


CHAPTER  HI. 

f  79.  52.  Which  was  the  parent  of  the  New-England  colonies  ? 

180.  —  To  whom  were  the  first  grants  made  in  New-Hampshire  ? 

131.  —  When  were  the  first  settlements  made  ?    Where  ? 

182.  _  When  was  the  first  house  built  at  Portsmouth  ? 

183.  —  Of  whom  did  WheelrSsrht  purchase  land  ? 

184.  —  What  town  did  he  found  ? 

185.  —  When  was  civil  government  established  in  Dover,  Portsmouth,  ana 

Exeter  ? 

186.  — -  What  steps  did  these  towns  take  in  1641  ? 

187.  53.  Of  whom  did  the  emigrants  purchase  lands  . 

188.  —  What  settlements  suffered  in  Philip's  war  ? 

189.  —  When  was  New- Hampshire  made  a  separate  province  ? 

190.  —  What  law  was  passed  in  16SO  ? 

191.  —  What  disputes  arose  on  the  arrival  of  Mason  ? 

192.  —  Who  was  appointed  governor  after  Andross  was  deposed  ? 


QUESTIONS. 

193.  54.  Did  tliis  colony  suffer  much  from  Indian  wars  ? 

194.  —  What  tov/n  was  surprised  in  1639  7 
J95.  —  Give  an  account  of  that  event. 

196.  55.  In  what  year  was  Londonderry  settled  ?    By  whom? 

197'.  —  What  did  they  introduce  ? 

J98.  —  Why  did  J.  T.  Ms-son  claim  the  lands  of  his  ancestors  ? 

199.  —  To  whom  did  he  convey  them  ? 

200.  —  What  did  they  do  to  silence  opposition  ? 

201.  —  How  were  the  Masonian  lauds  granted  ? 


CHAPTER  IV. 

202.  56.  To  whom  was  Connecticut  first  granted? 

203.  —  How  far  westward  did  the  grant  extend  ? 

204.  —  By  whom  was  a  fort  erected  at  Hartford  ? 

205.  —  By  whom  was  a  trading-  house  erected  at  Windsor  ? 

206.  —  By  whom  was  Weatherfield  and  Windsor  settled? 

207.  —  For  what  purpose  did  Winthrop  come  from  England  ? 

208.  —  Did  the  Dutch  attempt  to  molest  him  ? 

209.  57.  What  persons  laid  the  foundation  of  Hartford  ? 

210.  —  Whose  authority  did  the  first  emigrants  acknowledge  ? 

211.  —  When  did  the  freemen  form  a  constitution  ? 

212.  —  State  the  substance  of  this  constitution  ? 

213.  —  By  whom  was  Saybrook  settled  ?    Whence  the  name  ? 

214.  —  What  did  Fenwick  transfer  to  the  General  Court  ? 

215.  —  By  what  persons  was  Newhaven  founded  ? 

216.  58.  Was  it  a  distinct  colony  ? 

217.  —  By  what  laws  were  they  first  governed? 

218.  —  With  whom  had  both  colonies  disputes  ? 

219.  —  How  was  partition  made  in  1650? 

220.  -—  Did  the  Dutch  continue  friendly  ? 

221.  —  What  did  Connecticut  propose  to  the  confederacy  ? 

222.  —  What  was  the  conduct  of  Massachusetts  ?  , 

223.  59.  What  did  Cromwell  do  ? 

224.  —  Did  the  inhabitants  obtain  a  charter  ? 

225.  —  What  territory  did  it  comprehend  ? 

226.  —  Did  Newhaven  willingly  consent  to  a  union  ? 

227.  —  When  were  the  two  colonies  united  ? 

228.  60.  What  circumstances  occurred  when  Andross  demanded  I*-    char 

ter? 

229.  —  Did  Connecticut  retain  her  charter  ? 

230.  —  What  demand  did  Fletcher  make  of  Connecticut  ? 

231.  61.  How  was  he  treated  ? 

232.  —  When  was  Yale  College  founded  ? 

233.  —  When  was  Saybrook  platform  adopted  ? 

234.  —  What  did  this  platform  relate  to  ? 

235.  62.  What  cause  tended  to  preserve  the  peace  of  Connecticut  ? 


CHAPTER  V. 

236.  62.  When  was  Rhode  Island  settled  ?    By  whom? 

237.  —  Why  was  he  banished  from  Massachusetts  ? 

238.  —  What  did  he  call  the  place  where  he  settled  ? 

239.  —  What  regulations  did  he  adopt  ? 

240.  —  Who  repaired  to  Rhode  Island  "in  1638  ? 


t>  QUESTIONS. 

Quest  Page. 

241.  63.  Did  Rhode  Island  apply  to  be  admitted  into  the  league? 

242.  —  What  was  the  decision  of  the  commissioners  ? 

243.  —  Did  Rhode  Island  consent  to  the  terms  ? 

244.  —  When  was  the  first  general  assembly  held  ? 

245.  —  When  did'  the  colony  obtain  a  charter  ? 

246.  —  What  were  the  provisions  of  this  charter? 

247.  —  What  law  was  passed  relative  to  the  quakers  ? 

248.  —  What  secured  the  colony  exemption  from  Indian  hostility  ? 

249.  —  What  was  the  population  in  1730  ?     In  1761  ? 
2iO.  —  When  was  Brown  university  founded  ? 


CHAPTER  VI. 

251.  64.  By  whom  was  New- York  discovered ?    When? 

252.  —  In  what  service  did  Hudson  sail  ? 

253.  —  By  whom  and  when  was  a  fort  erected  near  Albany,  and  trading 

houses  at  New- York  ? 

254.  _  What  was  Albany  then  called  ?    What  was  New- York  ? 

255.  —  What  event  occurred  soon  after  ? 

256.  —  When  and  where  was  Fort  Amsterdam  erected  ? 

257.  —  To  wnat  company  did  the  republic  of  Holland  make  a  grant  ?' 
253.  —  How  far  did  the  grant  extend  ? 

259.  —  What  was  the  territory  called  ? 

260.  —  Where  did  the  Dutch  erect  forts  in  1623  ? 

261.  —  With  whom  did  this  produce  quarrels  ? 

262.  —  When  did  war  break  out  between  the  Dutch  and  Indians  ? 

263.  —  Who  commanded  the  Dutch  troops  ? 

264.  65.  In  what  place  was  a  bottle  fought  ? 

265.  —  Who  agreed  on  a  line  of  partition  between  the  Dutch  and  E»gfcn  • 

266.  —  To  whom  did  the  king-  of  England  grant  New- York  ? 

267.  —  What  measure  was  thereupon  taken  ? 

268.  —  Did  the  expedition  sent  out  succeed  ? 

269.  —  What  names  were  changed  ? 

270.  —  Who  assumed  the  government  of  the  country  ? 

271.  —  When  was  New- York  made  a  city  ? 

272.  —  What  event  happened  in  16J3? 

273.  66.  How  Ion?  did  the  Dutch  retain  possession  ? 

274.  —  Whom  did  the  Duke  of  York  appoint  governor  ? 

275.  —  To  what  religious  sect  did  both  belong  ? 

276.  —  When  was  the  first  assembly  held  ? 

277.  —  By  what  people  was  the  interior  of  New- York  inhabited  ? 

278.  —  Of  whom  were  they  the  allies? 

279.  —  Who  led  an  army  against  them  ? 

280.  —  What  was  he  obliged  to  do? 

281.  67.  What  Indian  chief  addressed  the  French  governor  ? 

282.  —  Recite  his  speech. 

283.  68.  What  effect  had  this  speech  on  the  French  governor  ? 

284.  —  Why  was  the  Duke  of  York  disliked  when  he  became  king  2 

285.  —  What  encouraged  the  disaffected  ? 

286.  —  What  measures  did  Leisler  and  Milborne  undertake  ?• 

287.  69.  What  did  Bayard  and  Courtlandt  do  ? 

288.  —  What  authority  did  Leisler  assume  ?    Why  ? 

289.  —  What  did  Milborne  effect  ? 

290.  —  What  parties  were  despatched  against  the  English? 

291.  70.  Describe  the  attack  of  Schenectady. 

292.  —  What  was  done  to  avenire  these  barbarities  ? 

293.  —  To  what  was  the  failure  of  the  expedition  attributed  ? 
694,  —  Whom  did  king  William  appoint  srovernor? 


QUESTIONS.  7 

295.  70.  What  was  the  character  of  this  governor  ? 

296.  71.  What  sentence  was  passed  on  Leisler  and  Milborne? 

297.  —  What  was  their  fate  ? 

298.  —  By  whom  were  the  French  settlements  attacked  ? 

299.  —  Who  was  appointed  governor  in  1692  ? 
$00.  —  What  object  was  he  desirous  of  effecting  ? 

301.  72.  What  took  place  in  consequence  of  his  recommendation? 

302.  —  When  was  the  Earl  of  Bellamont  appointed  governor? 

303.  —  In  what  measure  did  he  engage  ? 

304.  —  Relate  the  conduct  and  fate  of  captain  Kid. 

305.  —  Into  what  parties  were  the  people  divided  ? 

306.  —  When  was  Lord  Cornbury  appointed  governor  ? 
807.  —  What  were  his  parentage  and  character  ? 

308.  73.  In  what  manner  did  he  behave  ? 

309.  —  What  followed  his  removal  from  office  ? 

310.  —  What  resolution  was  passed  ? 

311.  —  In  what  year  did  governor  Hunter  arrive  ? 

312.  —  What  people  came  with  him  ? 

313.  —  What  is  the  character  of  their  descendants  ? 

314.  —  What  dispute  arose  between  the  house  and  council  ? 

315.  —  What  enterprise  was  projected  in  1700  ?    In  1711  ? 

316.  74.  What  was  the  result  of  the  latter  ? 

317.  —  Did  the  people  justify  their  representatives  ? 

313.  —  State  the  progress  and  termination  of  the  dispute  between  the  housft 
and  council. 

319.  —  Who  succeeded  governor  Hunter? 

320.  —  What  projects  had  the  French  then  in  view  ? 

321.  _  What  did  governor  Burnet  do  to  defeat  it  ? 

322.  75.  When  was  the  assembly,  elected  in  1716,  dissolved? 

323.  —  What  fort  did  the  French  erect  while  Van  Dam  was  governor  ? 

324.  —  Who  succeeded  Van  Dam? 

325.  —  What  prosecution  was  instigated  by  governor  Cosby  ? 

326.  —  What  honour  was  conferred  on  one  of  his  defenders  ? 

327.  —  When  was  Clark  appointed  lieutenant-governor  ? 

328.  —  What  dispute  was  revived  between  him  and  the  Assembly  ? 

329.  —  Which  party  was  triumphant  at  the  next  election  ? 

330.  76.  Recite  the  address  of  the  hou.se  to  the  governor  ? 

331.  —  What  did  he  say  in  his  next  speech  ? 

332.  —  What  resolve  did  the  house  pass  ?  - 

333.  77.  What  plot  was  supposed  to  be  concerted  about  tins  time  ? 

334.  —  What  was  the  supposed  object  of  the  plot  ? 

335.  —  How  many  were  burned  ?    Hung  ?    Transported  ? 

336.  —  What  did  Clark  allude  to  in  his  speech  ? 

337.  —  When  was  George  Clinton  appointed  governor  ? 
333.  73.  What  happened  in  1745  ? 

339.  __  When  did  peace  take  place  ? 


CHAPTER  VII. 

S40.  78.  By  whom  was  New- Jersey  settled  ?    When?    Where? 

g41  f  When  and  where  did  the  Swedes  and  Finns  settle  ? 

342.  79.  What  happened  in  1655? 

343.  __  What  territory  did  the  Dutch  possess  ? 

344.  —  How  was  it  taken  from  them  ? 
845.  —  To  whom  was  it  conveyed  ? 

346.  —  To  whom  did  the  Duke  convey  New-Jersey  ? 

S47.  —  Why  was  it  so  called  ? 

348.  —  Who  was  the  first  governor  ? 


8  QUESTIONS. 

349.'  79.  What  was  the  origin  of  the  disputes  that  arose  ? 

350.  —  Did  the  people  revolt  ?    Did  they  submit  ? 

351.  80.  To  whom  did  Berkeley  dispose  of  his  right  ? 

352.  —  Who  were  appointed  trustees  to  sell  it  ? 

353.  —  What  partition  was  agreed  -»n  ? 

354.  —  Was  a  new  patent  granted  to  the  Duke  ? 

355.  —  On  what  did  Andross  insist? 

356.  —  What  did  he  do  ? 

357.  —  Recite  the  address  to  the  commissioners. 

358.  81.  What  was  their  decision  ? 

359.  —  To  whom  was  East  Jersey  transferred  in  1682  ? 

360.  —  Who  was  appointed  governor  over  it  ? 

361.  —  By  whom  were  the  Jerseys  reunited? 

362.  —  When  was  Princeton  College  founded  ? 

363.  —  What  was  then  the  number  of  inhabitants  ? 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

SG4.  82.  By  whom  was  Delaware  first  settled  ? 

365.  -—  What  did  they  call  the  country  ? 

366.  —  Where  did  they  seat  themselves  ? 

367.  "—  Why  and  where  did  they  build  forts  ? 

368.  ~  Where  did  the  Dutch  build  a  fort  ? 

369.  —  In  what  manner  did  the  Swedes  gain  possession  of  it  ? 

370.  What  course  did  governor  Stuyvesant  pursue  ? 

371.  —  How  long  did  the  Dutch  retain  possession  ? 

372.  —  What  purchases  did  William  Penn  make  ? 

373.  —  What  name  was  given  to  the  tracts  purchased  ? 

374.  83.  To  what  colony  were  they  united  ? 
375..  —  When  did  a  separation  take  place  ? 


CHAPTER  IX. 

376.  83.  Who  was  the  founder  of  Pennsylvania  ? 

377.  —  To  what  religious  sect  did  lie  belong  ? 

378.  —  Why  was  the  country  granted  to  him  ? 

379.  —  At  what  price  was  land  sold  ? 

380.  84.  At  what  rate  was  it  rented  ? 

381.  —  In  what  year  did  the  settlers  leave  England  ? 

382.  —  What  position  did  they  select  for  a  settlement  ? 

383.  —  What  was  the  object  of  Penn's  frame  of  government  ? 

384.  —  What  people,  and  how  many,  did  he  find  upon  the  "  territories"  ? 

385.  —  Where  was  the  first  assembly  held  ? 

386.  —  What  citv  did  Penn  found  ? 

387.  85.  For  what  qualities  are  the  Pennsylvanians  distinguished  ? 

388.  —  What  party  did  Penn  adhere  to  at  the  time  of  the  English  revolution  ? 

389.  —  How  was  he  treated  ? 

890.  86.  Did  he  regain  the  favour  of  the  king  ? 

391.  —  When  did  he  again  visit  Pennsylvania? 

392.  —  What  took  place  in  1701? 

393.  —  How  was  the  executive  authority  afterwards  administered  ? 

394.  —  What  caused  the  most  irritation  ? 

395.  —  Did  the  colony  prosper  ? 

396.  —  What  took  place  at  the  commencement  of  the  revolution  ? 

397.  —  What,  sum  was  paid  in  discharge  of  quit  rents  ? 


QUESTIONS. 
CHAPTER  X. 

quasi.  Pagei 

398.  87.  By  whom  was  Maryland  founded  ? 

399.  —  To  what  religious  sect  did  he  belong  ? 

400.  —  After  whom  was  the  colony  named  ? 

401.  —  Who  was  appointed  the  first  governor  ? 

402.  —  When  did  the  first  settlers  arrive  ?    Where  ? 

403.  —  What  land  did  they  purchase  ? 

404.  —  What  circumstances  favoured  the  rapid  population  of  the  colon} 

405.  89.  When  and  how  was  a  house  of  assembly  formed  ? 

406.  —  What  alteration  was  made  in  1650  ? 

407.  —  What  fact  is  honourable  to  Lord  Baltimore  and  his  associates? 

408.  —  '  What  disturbance  was  produced  ?    By  whom  ? 

409.  89.  What  was  the  result  of  the  disturbances  ? 

410.  —  What  ordinance  was  passed  by  the  victorious  party  ? 

411.  —  What  was  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  1660  ? 

412.  —  When  did  lord  Baltimore  die  ? 

413.  —  What  was  his  character  ? 

414.  _  What  occurred  in  1689  ? 

415.  90.  What  directions  did  king  William  give  ? 

416.  —  When  was  the  proprietor  restored  to  his  rights  ? 

417.  —  What  occurred  at  the  commencement  of  the  revolution  ? 


CHAPTER  XI. 

90*.  What  territory  was  granted,  in  1630,  to  Sir  Robert  Heath  ? 

—  By  what  persons  was  a  settlement  formed  north  of  Albemarla 

sound  ? 

—  What  settlement  was  made  in  1661  ?    By  whcm? 

—  What  grant  was  made  in  1663  ? 

— •  What  assurances  were  given  to  emigrants  ? 

91.  Who  prepared  a  constitution  for  the  colony  ? 

—  What  were  the  provisions  of  this  constitution  ? 

—  Was  it  acceptable  to  the  inhabitants  ? 

—  What  settlement  was  made  in  1670  ? 

—  In  which  of  the  Carolinas,  as  now  divided,  was  it  made  ? 

92.  What  was  the  character  and  conduct  of  Seth  Sothel  ? 

—  When  was  the  constitution  of  Locke  abrogated  ? 

—  How  were  the  two  provinces  afterwards  governed  ? 

—  What  emigrants  came  in  1707  ?    In  1710  ? 

—  What  calamity  fell  upon  them  ? 

93.  Whither  did  the  Tuscaroras  emigrate  ? 

434.  —  What  proceedings  took  place  in  1729  ? 

435,  —  In  what  part  of  North  Carolina  did  the  settlements  iucrtegg  most 

rapidly  ? 


CHAPTER  XII. 

94.  When  %7as  the  first  settlement  made  at  Port  Royal  ? 

—  When  was  old  Churlestown  founded  ? 

—  When  did  the  freemen  elect  representatires  ? 

—  When  did  they  meet  to  elect  them  ? 

—  Whence  did  emigrant*  come  ? 


10  QUESTIONS. 

<Jne.f."   Page. 

441.  94.  When  "was  the  present  city  of  Charlestown  founded  ? 

442.  —  What  did  the  Proprietors  direct  in  regard  to  the  French 

tants  ? 

443.  —  Was  opposition  made  ?    By  whom  ? 

444.  95.  What  did  these  protestants  do  ? 

445.  _  Why  was  John  Archdale  sent  over? 

446.  —  What  did  he  effect? 

447.  —  What  did  Granville  and  Moore  attempt  ? 

448.  —  What  law  was  passed ' 

449.  96.  What  was  the  conduct  of  the  lords  and  the  queen  ? 

450.  —  What  expeditions  were  undertaken  in  1702  ? 

451.  —  What  occurred  in  1706?    What  in  1715? 

452.  97.  What  sufferings  were  occasioned  by  the  war  with  th§  icShms  I 

453.  —  What  measure  did  the  assembly  adopt  ? 

454.  —  What  emigrants  were  induced  to  come  ? 

455.  —  What  was  their  fate  ? 

456.  —  What  occurred  in  1719  ? 

457.  98.  How  was  the  government  afterwards  administered  ? 

458.  — -  What  occurred  in  1738  ? 

459.  —  Was  the  insurrection  quelled  ? 

460.  —  From  what  countries  did  emigrants  come  ? 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

461.  99.  Where  is  Georgia  situated? 

462.  —  What  project  was  concerted  in  1732  ? 

463.  —  To  whom  was  Georgia  granted  ? 

464.  —  What  regulations  did  the  Trustees  provide  ? 

465.  —  When  did  the  first  emigrants  embark? 

466.  —  Who  was  placed  at  their  head  ? 

467.  —  What  was  the  conduct  of  the  Carolinians  ? 

468.  —  How  many  emigrants  came  the  next  year  ? 

469.  —  What  was  the  character  of  these  emigrants  ? 

470.  100.  What  offer  was  made  to  induce  a  different  class  to  emigrate  ? 

471.  _  When  did  the  Germans  settle  ?    When  the  Scotch  ? 

472.  _  Who  made  a  visit  to  Georgia  in  1736  ? 

473.  —  What  was  his  object  ? 

474.  —  Who  came  two  years  afterwards  ? 

475.  —  In  1740,  how  many  emigrants  had  arrived  1 

476.  —  What  was  the  amount  of  benefactions  ? 

477.  101.  What  expedition  did  General  Oglethorpe  undertake  ? 

478.  —  Was  it  successful  ? 

479.  —  What  afterwards  occurred  ? 

480.  102.  What  event  occurred  when  Oglethorpe  was  marching  to  attack  the 

Spaniards  ? 

48?.  ~  What  expedient  did  he  devise  ? 

482.  —  How  did  the  invasion  end  ? 

483.  103.  What  occurred  in  1754? 

484.  —  What  products  were  cultivated? 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

485*    103,  In  what  year  was  the  treaty  between  France  and  Eogla&d  conclufl 
•d*  which  restored  tranquillity  to  America  ? 


QUESTIONS.  II 

486.  103.  What  was  the  number  of  inhabitants  in  the  thirteen  colonies  at  thcii 

period  ? 

4S7.  —    Where  were  the  English  settlements  ?   Where  the  French  1 

488.  104.  What  design  had  the  French  in  view  ? 

489.  —    What  did  the  company  of  English  traders  do  ? 

490.  —    What  was  the  conduct  of  the  French  ? 

491.  —    Wrhom  did  governor  Dinwiddie  send  as  messenger  to  the  French 

commander  ? 

492.  —    What  course  did  governor  Dinwiddie  take  on  receiving  the  answer  ? 

493.  -—    What  was  the  result  of  Washington's  expedition  ? 

494.  —    When  was  the  Albany  plan  of  union  formed  ? 

495.  105.  What  did  this  plan  provide  ? 

496.  —    Why  was  it  rejected  in  England  ?    Why  in  America  ? 

497.  —    What  expeditions  were  resolved  upon  in  1755  ? 

498.  —    Relate  the  object  and  result  of  the  expedition  to  Nova  Scotia. 

499.  —    Who  commanded  the  expedition  against  fort  Du  Quesne  ? 

500.  —    What  was  the  result  of  the  expedition  ? 

501.  106.  Who  commanded  the  expedition  against  Niagara? 

502.  —    Was  he  successful  ? 

503.  —    Who  commanded  the  expedition  against  Crownpoint  ? 

504.  108.  Relate  what  happened  to  this  expedition. 

505.  —    Was  it  abandoned  ? 

506.  109.  What  expeditions  were  proposed  the  next  year  ? 

507.  —    Why  was  Massachusetts  disgusted ?    How  appeased? 

508.  —    Who  was  appointed  to  succeed  Shirley  ? 

609.  110.  Had  war  beau  declared  between  France  and  England? 

510.  —    Who  was  appointed  commander  in  chief? 

511.  —    What  post  did  General  Montcalm  take  ? 

512.  —    What  had  been  accomplished  in  this  campaign  ? 

513.  111.  To  what  did  the  ministry  direct  the  attention  of  Lord  London  T 

514.  —    Did  he  effect  the  object  ? 

515.  —    With  what  force  did  Montcalm  besiege  fort  William  Henry  ? 

516.  —    Where  is  that  fort  situated  ? 
617.  —    Who  was  sent  to  command  it? 

518.  112.  Relate  the  circumstances  and  result  of  the  siege  ? 

519.  113.  What  effect  had  these  disasters  upon  the  British  nation? 

520.  —    Whom  did  the  king  appoint  prime  minister  ? 

521.  —    What  expeditions  were  determined  on  for  the  next  campaign  2 

522.  —    Who  commanded  that  against  Louisburg  1 

523.  —    Who  served  under  him  ? 
624.  —    How  did  the  siege  terminate  ? 

525.  1 14.  What  was  the  result  of  the  attack  on  Ticonderoga  ? 

526.  —    What  fort  did  colonel  Bradstreet  capture  ? 

527.  —    Who  commanded  the  expedition  against  Du  Quesne  ? 

528.  —    What  disaster  occurred  to  it  ? 

529.  —    Was  it  successful  ? 

530.  —    Where  was  the  fort  situated  ? 

£31.  —    What  was  the  plan  of  the  next  campaign? 

532.  1 15.  What  was  the  event  of  the  expedition  against  Niagara  ? 

533.  —    What  success  did  general  Amherst  meet  with  ? 

534.  Who  commanded  the  expedition  against  Quebec? 

535.  —    What  was  the  condition  of  that  place  ? 

536.  —    When  and  where  did  Wolf  land  his  army  ? 

537.  116.  Where  does  Quebec  stand  ? 

5S8.  —    When  did  a  battle  take  place  ?   What  the  event  ? 

539.  —    What  plan  did  Wolf  then  form? 

540.  117.  In  what  manner  did  he  gain  the  heights  of  Abraham  t 

541.  —    What  did  Montcalm  then  do  ? 

542.  —    What  was  the  fate  of  Wolf  ?    Of  Montcalm? 

543.  118.  What  was  the  consequence  of  the  battle  ? 

544.  —    When  waspeace  concluded  ? 

64<W  —   What  did  France  cede  to  Great  Britain? 


QUESTIONS. 
CHAPTER  XV. 

Qne«t.     Fa**. 

546.  118.  How  much  was  added  to  the  debt  of  England,  in  the  late  war  ? 

547.  —    Whence  did  her  legislators  seek  assistance  ? 

548.  119.  What  relation  was  supposed  to  exist  between  the  mother  county 

and  her  colonies  ? 

549.  —    What  restrictions  had  Great  Britain  imposed  ? 
559.  —    What  law  was  enacted  in  1764  ? 

551.  —    What  resolution  was  proposed  ? 

552.  —    In  what  courts  were  penalties  to  be  recovered,  ? 

553.  120.  What  measures  did  the  colonies  adopt  ? 

554.  —    Recite  the  8th  and  9th  sections. 

555.  J.21.  When  was  the  stamp  act  proposed  ? 

556.  '  —    What  language  was  used  in  supporting  it ••? 

557.  —    Recite  Col.  Barre's  speech. 

558.  122.  Did  the  bill  pass  ? 

559.  —    What  took  place  in  Virginia  when  the  news  arrived  ? 

560.  123.  What  resolve  was  passed  in  Massachusetts  ? 

561.  —    What  was  the  name  of  the  associations  formed  in  New-England  1 

562.  —    What  occurred  in  Boston  ?    What  in  Newport  ? 

563.  —    How  did  the  citizens  of  New- York  conduct  ? 

564.  —    What  title  did  they  give  to  the  stamp  act  ? 

565.  124.  When  did  the  Congress  assemble  ? 

566.  —    What  were  the  proceedings  of  this  Congress  ? 
587.  —    What  agreements  were  adopted  ? 

56S.  —    What  was  proposed  in  the  British  parliament  ? 

569.  —    What  dnl  Mr.  Grenville  say  ? 

570.  —    Recite  William  Pitt's  speech  ? 

571.  126.  What  were  the  proceedings  of  parliament  ? 

672.  — -    Why.  were  the  people  of  New-England  and  New- York  still  dissa 
tisfied  ? 

573.  —    For  what  cause  was  the  assembly  of  New- York  suspended  ? 

574.  —    What  measure  was  adopted  in  June,  1767  ? 

575.  127.  What  course  did  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  pursue  ? 

576.  —    How  were  they  punished  ? 

577.  —    What  measures  were  then  adopted  in  Massachusetts  ? 

578.  —    What  step  was  taken  by  general  Gage  ? 

579.  128.  State  what  resolutions  had  been  adopted  in  Parliament ? 

580.  —    What  resolutions  were  adopted  ia  Virginia  ? 
5S1.  —    What  did  the  governor  do  ? 

582.  —    What  then  ensued  ? 

583.  129.  State  what  occurred  in  State-street,  Boston. 

584.  —    To  what  place  were  the  troops  removed  ? 

585.  —    What  trials  took  place  ? 
5SG.  —    Who  defended  the  accused  ? 
5S7,  —    Were  they  convicted  ? 

583.  130,  What  measure  did  parliament  adopt  ? 

589  ~-    What  alteration  was  made  in  the  non-importation  agreements  ? 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

590.  130.  What  causes  contributed  to  increase  the  discontent  which  previously 

existed  in  Massachusetts  ? 

591.  131.  By  whom  were  committees  of  correspondence  recommended  ? 

592.  —    What  was  the  object  and  what  the  effect  of  them  ? 

593.  ~    What  letters  did  'Dr.  Franklin  obtain  and  send  over  ? 

594.  __    What  effect  did  these  letters  nave  ? 

695.      —    What  mf>astire  dulthe  East  Itidh  Company  adopt  ? 


QUESTIONS. 

£96.'  131.  What  was  done  in  Philadelphia  and  New- York  ? 

£97.  132.  What  was  the  state  of  public  feeling  in  Boston  1 

598.  —    What  resolution  was  adopted  by  the  citizens  ? 

599.  —    What  proceedings  followed  ? 

600.  —    Recite  Josiah  Quincy's  speech. 

601.  133.  What  was  done  with  the  tea  ? 

602.  —    What  acts  were  passed  by  parliament  ? 

603.  —    How  was  the  first  day  of  June  observed  in  Virginia  ? 

604.  134.  What  spirit  was  displayed  by  the  citizens  of  Salem  ? 

605.  What  was  recommended  by  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  ? 

606.  —    When  did  the  delegates  meet  ? 

607.  135.  What  resolutions  did  they  adopt  ? 

608.  —    What  effect  had  their  proceedings  on  public  sentiment  abroad  ? 

609.  —    Recite  Mr.  Pitt's  speech. 

610.  136.  By  what  names  were  the  Americans  distinguished  ? 

611.  —    What  measures  did  governor  Gage  adopt  V 

612.  —    When  did  a  provincial  Congress  meet  ? 

613.  137.  What  conciliatory  proposition  was  adopted  in  parliament  ? 

614.  —    Did  the  Americans  accept  it  ? 

615.  —    When  did  the  battle  of  Lexington  take  place  ? 

616.  —    What  was  the  result  ?    What  the  effect  ? 

617.  139.  What  expedition  was  projected  in  Connecticut? 

618.  —    By  whom  was  it  executed  ? 
<519.  —    What  posts  were  taken  ? 

620.  140.  What  British  generals  arrived  in  June  ? 

621.  —    What  proclamation  was  issued? 

622.  —    Why  did  the  provincials  resolve  to  occupy  Bunker  hill  ? 

623.  —    Who  commanded  the  provincial  troops  ? 

624.  —    On  what  day  was  the  battle  fought  ? 

625.  141.  Relate  the  principal  events  of  the  battle  ? 

626.  142.  How  many  Americans  were  killed  and  wounded  ? 

627.  —    How  many  British  ? 

628.  —    Did  the  result  dispirit  the  Americans  ? 

629.  —    What  eminent  man  was  killed  ? 

630.  —    What  measures  were  adopted  by  the  continental  Congress? 

631.  —    Who  was  chosen  commander  in  chief? 

632.  143.  What  other  officers  were  chosen  ? 

633.  —    What  mode  was  adopted  to  defray  expenses  ? 

634.  —    What  declaration  was  issued  ? 

635.  —    Recite  the  extracts  inserted. 

636.  144.  To  what  place  did  Washington  repair  ? 

637.  —    How  numerous  did  he  find  the  army  ? 

638.  —    What  occurred  in  Virginia  ? 

639.  145.  What  in  North  Carolina? 

640.  —    What  in  South  Carolina?   What  in  Georgia ? 

641.  —    What  in  New- York  ?    Who  was  made  governor  there  ? 

642.  —    What  resolution,  referring  to  him,  was  passed  by  Congress  ? 

643.  146.  What  was  done  and  projected  in  1775  ? 

644.  —    What  was  done  in  New-Hampshire  ? 

645.  147.  What  transactions  occurred  in  October  ? 

646.  —    How  was  the  new  army  to  be  raised  ? 

647.  148.  How  many  enlisted  ? 

F48.  —    What  works  were  erected  in  March  ? 

649.  —    What  did  general  Howe  attempt  ? 

650.  —    Failbg  in  this,  what  did  he  then  determine  ? 

651.  —    When  was  Boston  evacuated  ? 

652.  —    To  what  place  did  the  American  army  proceed  7 

653.  149.  Whither  did  the  British  fleet  steer  1 


QUESTIONS, 
CHAPTER  XVII. 

Quest.    pjfre. 

654.  149.  How  many  expeditions  were  despatched  against  Canada  ? 

655.  —    What  did  governor  Carleton  do  ? 

656.  —    Who  proceeded  in  advance  ?    Why  ? 

657.  —    On  whom  did  the  chief  command  devolve? 

658.  150.  What  did  colonels  Allen  and  Brown  attempt  ? 
t»59.      _    What  was  the  fate  of  Allen  ? 

660.  —    What  fortunate  event  occurred  in  October  ? 

661.  —    What  other  victory  was  achieved  ? 

662.  151.  When  was  St.  John's  surrendered  ? 

663.  —    To  what  place  did  Montgomery  then  repair  ? 

664.  —     With  how  many  men  did  he  begin  his  march  to  Quebec  1 

665.  —    Who  commanded  the  other  expedition  ? 

666.  —     How  many  did  it  consist  of  ? 

667.  _    Describe  their  route  ? 

668.  152.  Were  their  sufferings  great? 

669.  —    When  did  they  arrive  at  the  French  settlements  ? 

670.  _    When  did  he  cross  the  river  ? 

671.  _    Where  did  he  encamp  ? 

672.  —    When  did  Montgomery  arrive  ? 

673.  153.  To  what  did  their  united  force  amount  ? 

674.  —    How  strong-  were  the  enemy  ? 

675.  —    What  did  the  general  first  determine  ? 

676.  —    What  disease  broke  out  in  the  camp  ? 

677.  —    What  was  proposed,  and  resolved  upon  ? 

678.  154.  When  was  the  city  assaulted  ? 

679.  < —    What  disastrous  event  occurred  ? 

680.  —    What  happened  to  Arnold  ?  t 

681.  —     Who  assumed  the  command  ? 

682.  155.  How  did  the  attack  terminate  ? 

683.  —    What  was  the  amount  of  the  American  loss  ? 

684.  —    Where  was  Montgomery's  monument  placed  ? 

685.  —    How  far  from  the  city  did  Arnold  encamp  ? 

686.  156.  When  did  general  Thomas  arrive  from  Roxbury  ? 

687.  —    What  was  then  done  ? 

688.  —    To  what  place  did  the  Americans  retreat  ? 

689.  —    What  occurred  at  the  Cedars  ? 

690.  157.  Who  succeeded  general  Thomas  ? 

691.  —    Of  how  many  did  his  army  consist  ? 

692.  —    How  strong  was  the  enemy  ? 

693.  —    Where  did' Sullivan  halt? 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

694.  1 57.  What  reply  was  made  when  the  last  petition  was  presented  to  the  king? 

695.  158.  What  treaties  were  made  with  German  princes  ? 

696.  —    What  expedition  was  despatched  in  1776  ? 

697.  —    Who  was  appointed  commander  of  the  British  naval  forces  ? 

698.  —    What  preparations  were  made  at  Charleston  ? 

699.  —    Relate  what  occurred  m  the  attack  on  Sullivan's  island  ? 

700.  159.  What  was  the  effect  of  this  battle  ? 

701.  160.  What  able  pamphlet,  was  published  at  this  time  ? 

702.  —    Who  proposed,  in  Congress,  a  declaration  of  independence  1 

703.  —    Who  seconded  the  motion  ? 

704.  —    Who  were  the  committee  appointed  to  prepare  it  ? 

705.  —    On  what  day  was  it  adopted  ? 

706.  — •    Recite  the  17th  section. 

707.  161 .  What  was  done  at  Now-York  •» 


QUESTIONS.  15 


Quest.  Page. 

TOS.  162.  How  wos  the  American  army  posted  ? 

709.  —    Where  did  the  British  troops  first  land  ? 

710.  —    How  were  the  two  armies  posted  on  Long  Island  1 

711.  —    Describe  the  battle  which  took  place  ? 

712.  —    Which  gained  the  victory  ? 

713.  163.  Whither  did  Washington  retreat  ? 

714.  —    Where  did  he  take  post  in  September  ? 

715.  —    What  did  the  enemy  then  do  ? 

716.  —    What  calamity  happened  to  the  city  ? 

717.  —    What  plan  of  warfare  did  Washington  adopt? 
738.  —    To  what  placo  did  he  next  repair  ? 

719.  —    What  was  the  result  of  the  battle  there  fought  ? 

720.  164.  What  fort  was  attacked  ? 

721.  —    Where  was  it  situated  ? 

722.  —    Which  gained  the  victory  ? 

723.  —    What  then  followed? 

724.  —    What  proclamation  was  issued  ? 

725.  165.  To  what  place  did  Congress  remove  ? 

726.  —    With  what  power  did  they  invest  Washington  ?• 

727.  —    What  happened  to  general  Lee  ? 

728.  —    What  was  the  behaviour  of  the  British  ? 

729.  —    What  brilliant  victory  was  achieved  ? 

730.  166.  What  other  exploit  was  performed  ? 

731.  —    Who  was  among  the  wounded  ? 

732.  —    What  followed? 

733.  —    What  effect  had  these  victories  ? 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

734.  1ST.  What  spirit  did  Congress  exhibit? 

735.  —    What  measures  did  they  take  ? 

736.  —    Who  were  sent  commissioners  to  France  1 

737.  —    What  did  the  French  ministry  permit  ? 

738.  —    Of  what  value  were  the  prizes  made  by  American  privateers ' 

739.  168.  What  distinguished  Frenchman  joined  the  Americans  ? 

740.  —    Vi'iat  appointment  did  he  receive  ? 

741.  —    How  werc'the  American  prisoners  treated  ? 

742.  169.  To  what  place  did  Howe  transport  his  troops  ? 

743.  —    Whither  did  Washington  march  ? 

744.  —    Which  gained  tiie  victory  at  Brandywine  creek  ? 

745.  —    What  officer  was  wounded  ? 

746.  —    To  whnt  place  did  Washington  eventually  retreat  ? 

747.  —    When  did  Howe  enter  Philadelphia? 

74S.  170.  What  was  the  result  of  the  battle  on  lake  Champlain  ? 

749.  —    What  expedition  was  concerted  in  the  winter  ? 

750.  —    By  whom  was  it  to  be  commanded  ? 

751.  —    What  American  commanded  the  northern  department  * 

752.  —    To  what  place  did  Burgoyne  despatch  St.  Leger? 

753.  —    When  did  he  appear  before  Ticonderoga? 

754.  —    What  was  the  number  of  his  army  ? 

755.  —    When  was  Ticonderoga  evacuated  ? 

756.  171.  To  what  place  did  the  Americans  eventually  retreat? 

757.  —    What  intelligence  was  received  from  St.  Leger? 

758.  —    What  was  the  effect  of  the  American  proclamation  ? 

759.  —    Whither  did  Burgoyne  despatch  Baum  ? 

760.  —    Who  commanded  the  American  militia  ? 

761.  172.  Which  gained  the  victory  on  the  16th  of  August  ? 

762.  —    What  occurred  afterwards  ? 

763.  —    What  was  the  effect  of  the  virtorv  at  Bennington  ? 


16  QUESTIONS, 

764.1'  172'.  What  was  the  fate  of  St.  Leger's  expedition? 

7$5.  _    Who  were  appointed  to  command  the  American  army  ? 

766.  173.  Describe  the  first  battle  of  Stillwater. 

767.  —    Describe  the  second. 

768.  —    What  was  done  by  general  Vaughan  ? 

769.  —    To  what  place  did  Burgoyne  retreat  ? 

770.  —    When  did  he  surrender  ? 

771.  174.  Describe  the  battle  of  Germantown. 

772.  —    State  the  result  of  the  assault  upon  Red  bank  and  npon  Fort  Mifflin. 

773.  176.  Where  did  Washington's  army  pass  the  winter  ? 


CHAPTER  XX 

774.  176.  When  was  the  Confederation  adopted  ? 

775.  —  What  powers  did  it  confer  on  Congress  ? 

776.  —  What  right  did  the  states  reserve  ? 

777.  177.  Who  was  appointed  inspector  general? 

778.  —  What  treaties  were  made  with  France  ?  e 

779.  —  What  act  was  passed  by  the  British  parliament*? 

780.  — •  State  what  took  place  between  the  commissioners  and  Joseph  Reed, 

781.  —  What  course  did  Great  Britain  pursue  ? 

782.  178.  When  did  the  British  army  quit  Philadelphia  ? 

783.  —  Did  a  battle  take  place  soon  after  ?   Where  ? 

784.  —  Who  commanded  the  Americans  ? 

785.  —  What  was  the  result  of  the  battle  ? 

786.  —  What  charges  were  made  against  Lee  ? 

787.  —  What  was  his  sentence? 

788.  —-  What  assistance  arrived  from  France  ? 

789.  179.  What  enterprise  was  then  projected  ? 

790.  —  Who  commanded  the  American  troops  ? 

791.  —  What  occurred  at  sea? 

792.  —  What  was  Sullivan  compelled  to  do  ? 

793.  180.  What  towns  were  attacked  and  ravaged  ? 

794.  —  Relate  what  occurred  at  Tappan. 

795.  —  How  and  where  did  Washington's  army  pass  the  winter 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

796.  181.  By  what  was  the  campaign  of  1779  distinguished  ? 

797.  _    What  expedition  sailed  from  New- York  ? 

798.  —    What  did  the  enemy  effect  in  Georgia  ? 

799.  —    Who  took  command  in  the  southern  department  t 

800.  —    What  occurred  at  Savannah  ? 

801.  —    What  other  expedition  sailed  from  New- York  2 

802.  —    What  did  it  accomplish  ? 

803.  182.  What  expedition  did  Clark  undertake  ? 

804.  —    What  was  his  success  ? 

804.  —    What  were  the  purpose  and  success  of  Sullivan's  expedition  ? 

SOS.  —    What  towns  were  burnt  in  Connecticut? 

806.  183.  What  exploit  was  performed  by  general  Wayne  ? 

807.  — -    What  naval  battle  wan  fonght  in  September  ? 

808.  —    Where  did  the  northern  army  pass  the  winter  ? 

809.  —    Were  their  sufferings  great  ? 

810.  184.  How  much  paper  money  had  been  issued  ? 

811.  --    How  much  had  it  depreciated  ? 

812.  —    What  new  mode  was  adopted  to  supply  the  army  1 


QUESTIONS.  17 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

ijr.est.  Page. 

814.  185.  What  place 'did  the  enemy  besiege  in  the  spring  ? 

815.  —    Who  were  the  opposing  commanders  ? 

816.  —    What  was  the  event  of  the  siege  ? 

817.  —    What  exploit  did  colonel  Tarleton  perform  ? 

818.  186.  What  conduct  of  general  Clinton  excited  indignation  . 

819.  —    What  service  did  Sumpter  render  ? 

820.  —    Who  led  an  army  from  the  north  ? 

821.  —    Describe  the  battle  near  Camden.  '• 

822.  —    What  occurred  at  the  Catawba  ford  ? 

823.  187.  What  conduct  did  Cornwallis  adopt  ? 

824.  —    Who  was  a  successful  leader  of  the  patriots  ? 

825.  —    Who  was  appointed  commander  of  the  tones  ? 

826.  188.  Where  was  he  posted  ? 

827.  —    By  whom  was  he  attacked,  and  what  was  the  result  ? 

828.  —    Who  was  appointed  to  succeed  Gates  ? 

829.  —    Where  was  the  northern  army  posted  ? 

830.  —    What  were  their  sufferings  and  conduct  ? 

831.  —    What  squadron  and  troops  arrived  in  July  ? 

832.  —    What  project  v/as  disconcerted  ?    How  ? 

833.  183.  What  disaffected  Arnold  1 

834.  —    What  plot  did  he  meditate  ?  ^ 

835.  —    With  whom  had  he  an  interview  ? 

836.  —    Relate  the  circumstances  of  Andre's  capture  * 
937.  190.  What  was  his  conduct  ?    What  his  fate  ? 
S38.  —    How  much  did  Arnold  receive  ? 

839.  191.  What  occurred  at  Morristown  ? 

840.  —    What  were  the  complaints  of  the  soldiers  ? 

841.  —    How  was  the  mutiny  appeased  ? 

842.  —    What  did  the  states  do  ? 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

192.  What  project  was  resumed  in  the  spring  of  1781  ? 

—  What  delayed  its  accomplishment  ? 

—  What  commander  fought  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens? 

—  What  was  the  result  ? 

193.  What  did  Cornwallis  attempt? 

—  What  occurred  on  the  retreat  ? 

194.  Describe  the  engagement  between  Lee  and  the  tories. 

—  Give  an  account  of  the  battle  at  Guilford  court  house 

—  Where  did  Greene  halt  ? 

—  Whither  did  Cornwallis  proceed  ? 

195.  Which  was  victorious  at  Hobkirk's  hill? 

—  What  posts  were  captured  in  South  Carolina  ? 

—  What  was  the  event  of  the  siege  of  Ninety-Six  ? 

196.  Describe  the  battle  of  Eutaw. 

—  To  what  place  did  Cornwallis  repair  ? 

197.  Why  was  he  recalled  to  the  sea-board  ? 

—  What  posts  did  he  fortify  ? 

—  What  did  Washington  determine  to  do  ? 

—  What  expedition  did  Clinton  despatch  ? 

198.  What  did  it  accomplish  ? 

—  What  news  did  Washington  receive  at  Chester? 

—  Of  how  many  troops  did  the  allied  forces  consist? 

—  When  was  the  cannonade  begun  ? 

199.  What  occurred  during  the  siege? 
_~    When  did  Cornwallis  surrender? 


IS  QUESTION. 

Quest.  Pa?e. 

868.  199.  What  was  the  number  of  prisoners  ? 

869.  —    What  emotions  did  this  victory  produce  in  America "? 

870.  200.  What  were  the  feelings  of  the  British  nation  ? 

871.  —    What  of  the  king? 

872.  —    What  opinion  did  the  house  of  commons  express  ? 

873.  —    When  were  pacific  overtures  made  ? 

874.  —    When  did  hostilities  cease  ? 

375.  —    Who  were  the  American  ministers  ? 

876.  201.  Who  was  the  British  minister  ? 

877.  —    When  was  the  definitive  treaty  signed? 

878.  —    Why  were  the  American  troops  dissatisfied  ? 

879.  202.  What  occurred  at  Newburgh  ? 

880.  —    When  was  the  army  disbanded  ? 

881.  —    When  was  New- York  evacuated  ? 

882.  —    When  did  Washington  resign  his  commission  ? 
SS3.  —    To  what  place  did  he  retire  ? 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 

884.  203.  What  was  the  state  of  the  country  at  the  close  or  tne  war  ? 

885.  —    How  much  had  national  securities  depreciated  ? 

886.  —    What  prevented  the  prosperity  of  commerce  1 

887.  204.  What  occurred  in  Massachusetts  ? 

fcS8.  —    What  was  the  result  of  the  meeting  at  Annapolis  ? 

889.  —    What  resolution  did  Congress  adopt  ? 

890.  —    When  did  the  convention  meet  ? 

891.  —    Who  was  chosen  president  of  it  ? 

892.  —    Did  they  agree  upon  a  constitution  ? 

893.  205.  In  what  does  this  constitution  differ   from  the  articles  of  conft- 

deration  ? 

894.  —    What  is  said  of  the  members  of  the  house  ? 

895.  —    What  of  the  senators  ? 

896.  —    What  of  the  President  ? 

897.  —    What  of  the  Vice-President  ? 

898.  —    What  is  required  in  passing  a  law  ? 

899.  206.  What  powers  are  conferred  on  Congress  ? 

900.  —    What  is  said  of  the  judicial  department  ? 

901.  —    What  objections  were  made  to  the  Constitution  ? 

902.  —    By  what  names  were  its  friends  and  opposers  styled  ? 

903.  —    Bv  how  manv  states  was  it  ratified  ? 

904.  —    Who  was  elected  first  President  ?   Who  Vice-President  ? 

905.  —    When  was  the  President  inaugurated  ? 

906.  207.  What  duties  were  laid  ? 

907.  —    What  departments  were  established  ? 

908.  —    Who  were  appointed  secretaries  ? 

909.  —    What  tour  did  the  President  make  ? 

910.  208.  What  did  Hamilton  recommend  ? 

911.  —    For  what  reasons  was  his  recommendation  opposed  ? 

912.  209.  Was  it  adopted  ?    What  was  the  amount  of  debt  funded  ? 

913.  —    Why  were  the  duties  on  distilled  spirits  proposed  ? 

914.  —    When  were  they  laid  ? 

915.  —    When  was  the  bank  incorporated  ? 

916.  —    When  did  North  Carolina  adopt  the  constitution  ? 

917.  —    When  did  Rhode  Island? 

918.  —    Where  is  Vermont  situated  ? 

919.  —    By  what  states  had  the  territory  been  claimed  ? 

920.  —    What  did  the  inhabitants  do  in  1777  ? 

921.  210.  In  what  year  was  Vermont  admitted  into  the  Union  ? 
923.  —    When  was  Kentucky  admitted  ? 


QUESTIONS  19 

923.  210.  When  was  the  first  census  completed  ? 
324.      —    What  was  the  number  of  inhabitants  ? 

925.  —    How  many  were  slaves  ? 

926.  —    State  the  amount  of  the  revenue,  imports,  and  exports. 
027.     —    When  was  the  war  with  the  Creeks  terminated  ? 

928.     —    With  what  tribes  did  war  still  exist  ? 

9-29.  —    Who  commanded  the  troops  sent  against  them  ? 

930.  —    State  the  circumstances  and  result  of  the  battle. 

931.  21 1 .  Who  were  next  elected  President  and  Vice-President  ? 

932.  —    What  occurred  in  France,  at  this  period  ? 

933.  212.  WThat  were  the  feelings  of  the  Americans  and  French  ? 

934.  —    Who  was  appointed  minister  to  the  United  States  ? 

935.  —    What  authority  did  he  assume  ? 

936.  —    What  course  did  the  President  take  ? 
037.  213.  Who  was  appointed  to  succeed  St.  Clair  ? 
939.  —    Was  he  successful  ? 

939.  —    When  and  where  did  he  conclude  a  treaty  ? 

940.  214.  What  produced  discontent  in  Pennsylvania  ? 

941.  —    What  meeting  was  held  at  Pittsburgh  ? 

942.  —    What  measure  did  the  President  adopt  ? 

943.  —    Was  the  insurrection  suppressed  ? 

944.  215.  What  difficulties  existed  with  England  ? 

945.  —    When  did  Mr.  Jay  conclude  a  treaty  ? 

94o.  —    What  appeared  to  be  public  sentiment  in  relation  to  it  ? 

947.  —    Did  the  President  ratify  it  ? 

948.  216.  What  had  been  the  conduct  of  Spain  ? 

949.  —    What  did  she  deny  to  the  western  people  ? 

950.  —    When  was  a  treaty  with  her  concluded  ? 

951.  —    What  privilege  did  it  secure  ? 

952.  —    When  was  a  treaty  concluded  with  Algiers  ? 

953.  217.  When  did  Mr.  Jefferson  resign? 

954.  —    When  did  Hamilton  ?    When  did  Knox? 

955.  218.  What  was  the  conduct  of  Fauchet  ? 

956.  —    Who  was  appointed  minister  to  France  ? 

957.  —    What  did  France  wish  ? 

958.  —    What  measures  did  she  adopt  ? 

959.  219.  Who  was  appointed  minister  to  France  in  1796  ? 

960.  —    What  determination  did  Washington  form  ? 

961.  —    State  the  substance  of  his  farewell  address  ? 

962.  —    Who  were  brought  forward  as  candidates  for  the  presidency  ? 
983.  —    Who  were  chosen  President  and  Vice-President  ? 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

220.  What  was  the  purport  of  the  despatches  received  from  France? 

—  What  laws  were  passed  ? 

—  Who  were  appointed  envoys  to  France  ? 

—  What  was  the  conduct  of  the  Directory  ? 

221.  What  was  done  by  Congress  ? 

—  Who  was  appointed  to  command  the  army  ? 

—  What  naval  battles  were  fought  ? 

—  When  was  peace  concluded  f 

—  When  did  Washington  die  ? 

222.  What  were  the  proceedings  of  the  house  ? 

—  What  of  the  senate  ? 

—  When  did  Congress  first  meet  at  Washington  ? 

—  Who  were  the  candidates  for  President  and  Vice-President ',' 

—  How  was  the  choice  made  ? 

—  Who  were  elected  ? 


20  QUESTIONS. 

979.  222.  What  causes  rendered  Mr.  Adams  unpopular  ? 
990.     —    What  was  done  at  the  next  session  of  Congress? 

981.  224.  When  was  the  second  census  taken? 

982.  —    What  was  the  number  of  inhabitants  ? 

983.  —    How  much  had  it  increased  in  ten  yefers  ? 

984.  —    How  much  had  the  exports  increased  ? 

985.  —    How  much  the  revenue  ? 

986.  —    To  what  should  this  prosperity  be  attributed  ? 

987.  —     When  was  Ohio  admitted  ? 

9S3.      —    When  was  the  right  of  deposite  at  New-Orleans  prohibited  ? 

989.  —    What  proposition  was  made  in  Congress  ? 

990.  —    What  course  was  adopted  ? 

991.  —    What  was  the  price  paid  for  Louisiana? 

992.  —    By  whom  and  when  was  Louisiana  discovered  ? 

993.  —    When  ceded  to  Spain  ? 

994.  —    When  retroceded  to  France  ? 

995.  225.  What  were  the  inhabitants  ? 

996.  —    What  occurred  in  the  harbour  of  Tripoli? 

997.  —    What  exploit  did  lieutenant  Decatur  perform  ? 

998.  226.  What  project  did  general  Eaton  undertake  ? 

999.  —    Describe  his  route  ? 

1000.  —    When  did  he  arrive  at  Derae  ? 

1001.  —    What  ensued  at  that  city  ? 

1002.  227,  What  arrangement  was  made  ? 

1003.  —    Relate  what  occurred  in  New- York  in  180-1. 

J004.  —    Who  were  chosen  President  and  Vice-President  in  1504  r 

](X)5.  —    Of  what  was  Burr  suspected  in  1806? 

1 006.  228.  Was  he  apprehended  ? 

1007.  —    When  and  where  was  he  tried  ? 
J003.  —    What  was  the  rerdict  of  the  jury? 

1009.  —    What  was  the  state  of  Europe  at  this  period  ? 

1010.  —    What  advantage  did  America  derive  f 

1011.  —    What  right  did  Great  Britain  claim  ? 

1012.  229.  What  aggressions  were  coinmitted  by  British  cruizers  ? 

1013.  —    State  the  purport  of  the  British  orders,  dated  m  1806. 

1014.  —    What  decree  was  issued  at  Berlin  ? 

1015.  —    What  was  the  effect  of  these  measures  ? 

1016.  —    What  event  occurred  in  June  1807  ? 

1017.  230.  What  measures  did  the  President  adopt  ? 

1018.  —    What  course  did  the  British  government  take  ? 

1019.  —    What  important  law  was  enacted  ? 

1020.  —    What  measures  were  adopted  by  Great  Britain  ? 

1021.  —    What  bv  Bonaparte  ? 

1022.  —    What  effect  had  the  embargo  upon  the  people  of  New-England.  ? 

1023.  231.  Mr.  Jeffetson  declining,  who  was  elected  President  ? 

1024.  —    Who  Vice-President  ? 

1025.  —    What  law  was  substituted  for  the  embargo  ? 

1026.  —    What  arrangement  was  made  with  Erslcme  ? 

1027.  —    Was  it  ratified  by  Great  Britain  ? 

1028.  232.  Did  Great  Britain  persist  in  her  unfriendly  conduct? 

1029.  —    What  occurred  on  the  coasts  of  Virginia  ? 

1030.  —    What  did  Mr.  Foster  propose  ? 

1031.  233.  How  many  vessels  had  been  captured  since  1803,  by  British 

cruizers  ? 

1032.  —    What  did  the  President  recommend  ? 

1033.  —    What  laws  were  enacted  ? 

1034.  —    Relate  what  occurred  at  Tippecanoe  ? 

1035.  234.  What  was  the  object  of  John  Henry's  mission  1 

1036.  —    Did  he  meet  with  any  success  ? 
J037.  —    When  was  war  declared  ? 

1038.  —    Fcr  what  reason;  jras  it  condemned  ? 


QUESTIONS.  21 

CHAPTER  XXVI, 

Quest.      Pace» 

1039  235-  Who  was  appointed  commander  in  chief .? 

1040  —    What  other  generals  were  appointed  ? 

1041.  —    When  did  Hull  invade  Canada? 

1042.  236.  What  events  occurred  in  that  quarter  ? 

1043.  —    Who  led  an  expedition  towards  the  territory  of  Michigan  ? 

1044.  —    For  what  purpose  was  an  army  assembled  on  the  frontier _? 

1045.  237.  Who  commanded  this  army  ? 

1046.  —    What  post  was  assaulted  ?    With  what  success  ? 

1047.  —    Who  succeeded  Van  Rensselaer  ? 

1048.  238.  What  abortive  attempts  did  he  make  ? 

1049.  —    What  was  done  by  general  Dearborn  ? 

1050-    239.  Describe  the  battle  between  the  Constitution  and  Guerriere  ? 

1051.     —    What  other  naval  victories  were  gained? 

1052      249.  What  was  the  number  of  prizes    made  during   the    first  seven 

months  of  the  war  ? 
1053.     -      Who  were  elected  President  and  Vice-President  in  1812? 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

1054.  241.  What  terms  were  offered  to  the  British  government  ? 

1055.  —    Why  were  the  propositions  of  Great  Britain  rejected  ? 

1056.  —    What  measures  did  Congress  adopt  ? 

1057.  —    What  took  place  at  French  tewn  ? 

1058.  242.  To  what  place  did  Harrison  search  ? 

1059.  —    By  whom  was  fort  Meigs  invested  1  ,:, 

1060.  —    What  did  general  Clay  attempt  ? 

1061.  —    What  success  did  he  meet  with  ? 

1062.  243.  How  did  the  siege  terminate  ? 

1063.  —    Describe  the  attack  upon  York. 

1064.  —    What  general  was  killed  there  ? 

1065.  —    What  fort  was  next  attacked? 

1066.  244.  What  generals  were  made  prisoners  at  Stoney  creek  ? 

1067.  —    What  other  misfortune  followed  ? 

1068.  —    What  post  was  attacked  by  the  British  ? 

1069.  —    Who  commanded  there  ? 

J070.  —    What  was  the  event  of  the  attack  ? 

1071.  —    What  occurred  on  the  sea-coast  ? 

1072.  245,  Describe  the  naval  action  fought  February  23rd. 

1073.  —    Describe  the  action  between  the  Chesapeake  and  Shannon. 
1074-  246.  What  were  the  last  words  of  Lawrence  ? 

1075.  —    How  was  the  victory  received  in  England  ? 

1076.  247.  What  other  contests  took  place  at  sea  ? 

1077.  —    Describe  the  affair  at  fort  Stephenson. 

1078.  —    What  present  did  colonel  Croghan  receive  ? 

1079.  —    Who  were  the  respective  commanders  on  lake  Erie  ? 

1080.  248.  What  words  were  inscribed  on  Perryrs  flag  ? 

1081.  —    Relate  the  erente  of  the  battle. 

1082.  —    Recite  Perry's  letter  to  Harrison. 

1083.  —    What  did  Harrison  effect  ? 

1084.  249.  Who  was  appointed  to  command  the  army  of  the  ceitp* 

1085.  —    What  orders  did  he  receive  ? 

1086.  Wla.t  occurred  while  descending  the  St.  Lawrence  ? 

108?!  —    Why  was  the  project  abandoned  ? 

1088.  250.  What  offer  was  made  by  t.he  emperor  of  Russia  ? 

1089.  —    Who  were  appointed  commits/oners  ? 

1090.  —    What  la'vs  were  parsed  by  Congress? 

1091.  —    What  spirit  was  displayed  by  the  southern  Indian*  " 


22  QUESTIONS. 

QuMt.    Pa*e. 

1092.  251.  What  occurred  at  fort  Mimms  ? 

1093.  —    Describe  the  hattle  at  Tallushatchie  ;  at  Tatfatfega :  at  Emuck- 

faw;  atTohopeka. 

1094.  252.  What  occurred  at  the  Hickory  ground  ? 

1095.  —    Recite  Wetherford's  speech. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

1096.  252.  What  bounty  was  offered  to  recruits  ? 

1097.  253.  What  communication  was  received  from  Great  Britain? 

1098.  —    Was  the  proposition  accepted  ? 

1099.  —    Who  were  appointed  additional  commissioners  ? 

1100.  -—    What  occurred  at  the  river  La  Cole  ? 

1101.  —    Who  was  appointed  to  succeed  Wilkinson? 

1102.  —    What  events  had  recently  occurred  in  Europe  ? 

1103.  —    How  were  these  "vents  advantageous  to  Great  Britain? 

1104.  254.  Which  party  was  victorious  at  Chippewa  ? 

1105.  —    Relate  the  events  of  the  battle  of  Bridgewater. 

1106.  255.  What  step  did  general  Ripley  take  ? 

1107.  —    By  how  many  troops  was  fort  Erie  invested  ? 

1 108.  —    What  was  the  event  of  the  assault  made  by  the  enemy  ? 

1 109.  —    What  of  the  sortie  made  by  the  besieged  ? 

1110.  —    When  was  the  siege  abandoned  ? 

1111.  —    When  did  general  Izard  arrive  from  Pittsburgh  ? 

1112.  —    What  expeditions  proceeded  from  Canada  ? 

1113.  —    What  was  the  object  of-  each  ? 

1114.  256.  What  took  place  at  the  ford  ' 

1115.  _    What  was  the  result  of  the  battle  on  the  lake  ? 

1116.  —    What  did  the  British  army  then  do? 

1117.  257.  What  actions  occurred  at  sea  ? 

1118.  —    Where  were  great  exertions  made  for  defence? 

1119.  —    When  did  the  main  body  of  the  enemy  land  ? 

1120.  258.  Where  did  the  Americans  make  a  stand  ? 

1121.  —    What  occurred  there  ? 

1 122.  —    Whither  did  general  Winder  retreat  ? 

1 123.  —    When  did  the  enemy  enter  Washington  ? 

1 124.  —    What  was  their  conduct  there  ? 

1125.  —    What  took  place  at  Alexandria  ? 

1126.  —    What  did  Ross  next  undertake  ? 

1 127.  259.  What  was  his  fate  ? 

1 128.  —    How  was  the  fleet  received  ? 

1 129.  —    What  was  the  event  of  this  expedition  ? 

1 130.  —    When  did  the  convention  meet  at  Hartford  ? 

1 131.  260.  What  was  enumerated  and  proposed  in  their  address  ? 

1132.  —    What  information  was  received  from  Ghent? 

1133.  —    What  measures  did  Congress  adopt? 

1134.  _    Who  performed  the  duties  of  Secretary  of  War  ? 

1 135.  —    Who  was  appointed  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  ? 

1 1 36.  —    What  force  arrived  at  Pensacola  ? 

1 1 37.  —    What  was  it  permitted  to  do  ? 

1 1 38.  —    What  did  general  Jackson  do  ? 

1 139.  —    What  information  did  he  receive  at  Mobile  ? 

1140.  —    What  step  did  he  then  take  ? 

1141.  —    What  did  he  find  the  condition  of  New-Orleans  ? 

1 142.  261.  What  was  his  conduct  ? 

1 143.  —    Where  did  the  enemy  take  a  position,  December  22nd  ? 

1144.  —    What  occurred  in  the  evening  of  the  23rd  ? 

1 145.  262.  Where  did  Jackson  erect  fortifications  ? 

1146.  —    Were  the.se  assaulted  ?    With  what  success  ? 


QUESTIONS. 

2147.  zlL  When  was  the  last  assault  made  ?    Describe  it. 

1148  —    What  was  the  amount  of  loss  on  each  side  ? 

1149.  —    What  took  place  on  the  west  side  of  the  river  1 

1150.  263.  What  course  did  general  Lambert  then  take  1 

1151.  —    When  was  peace  concluded  ? 

1 152.  —    What  were  the  provisions  of  the  treaty  ? 

1153.  —    What  victories  were  achieved  at  sea  ? 


APPENDIX. 

1154.  264.  By   what  was  the  era  of  the  settlement  of  this  country  distm 

1155.  —    What  distinguished  the  country  whence  the  settlers  came  ? 

1 156.  —    To  what  ciass  did  they  belong  ? 

1157.  —    What  powerful  establishments  existed  in  Europe  ? 

1158.  265.  What  conduct  did  they  pursue  ? 

1159.  —    Were  these  establishments  transferred  to  America? 

1160.  —    What  doctrine  prevailed  in  Eurepe  ? 

1161.  —    What  was  the  nature  and  consequence  of  this  doctrine  ? 

1162.  —    What  is  meant  by  the  law  of  primogeniture  ? 

1163.  —    What  was  the  operation  of  this  law  / 

1164.  —    Does  this  doctrine,  or  this  law,  exist  in  the  United  States  ? 

1165.  266.  What  is  said  of  the  systems  of  government  established   in  the 

colonies  ? 

1166.  —    In  what  is  the  contrast  greatest  between  the  European  and  Ameri 

can  systems  of  government  ? 

1 167.  —    What  does  the  military  peace  establishment  of  Great  Britain  cost  ? 

1168.  —    What  that  of  the  United  States  ? 

1169.  —    What  the  respective  naval  establishments  ? 

1170.  —    What  do  British  subjects  pay  individually  in  taxes  ? 

1171.  —    What  do  those  of  the  United  States  pay  ? 

1 1 72.  267 .  In  what  pursuits  are  the  greatest  portion  of  the  inhabitants  engaged  ? 

1173.  —    What  is  produced  in  the  northern  states  ? 

1174.  _    What  in  the  middle  and  western  ? 

1175.  —    What  in  the  southern  ? 

1176.  —    What  number  was  engaged  in  agriculture  in  1820  ? 

1177.  —    What  value  of  agricultural  products  was  exported  ? 

1178.  —    State  the  value  01  the  principal  articles. 

1179.  268.  What  circumstance*  contributed  to  the  prosperity  of  commerce  ? 

1180.  —    State  the  increase  of  our  tonnage  and  revenue. 

1181.  —    How  many  were  engaged  in  commerce  in  1820  ? 

1182.  —    What  was  the  amount  of  exports  and  imports  in  1823.  ? 

1183.  •—    What  in  1807? 

1184.  —    Why  has  commerce  declined  ? 

1185.  —    How  early  did  the  cod  fishery  on  the  American  coast  attract  at 

tention  ? 

1 186.  279.  How  many  ships  and  seamen  did  the  French  employ  in  it,  in  1744  ? 

1187.  —    What  quantity  of  fish  did  they  take  ? 

1188.  —    In  1760,  how  many  vessels  were  fitted  out  from  the  ports  of  New- 

England  ? 

1189.  —    How  many  seamen  were  employed  ? 

1190.  —    What  is  said  in  relation  to  the  negociation  of  the  peace  of  1783  ? 

1191.  —    What  estimate  has  been  made  in  relation  to  these  fisheries  ? 

1192.  —    What  tras  their  annual  value  ? 

1193.  —    Why  important  to  the  nation  ? 

—    What  is  said  of  the  whale  fishery  ? 


24  QUESTIONS. 

Quest.  Page. 

1 1 95.  270.  State  the  value  of  the  products  of  this  fishery  exported  in  1807  ?  la 

1196.  —    Recite  the  extract  from  Burke's  speech. 

1 197.  271 .  What  is  said  of  manufactures  ? 

1 198.  —    What  gave  the  first  impulse  to  this  branch  of  industry  ? 

1199.  —    What  was  the  amount  of  manufactures  in  1814  ? 

1200.  —    Which  are  the  principal  manufacturing  states  ? 

1201.  —    Which  the  principal  manufactures  ? 

1202.  —    How  many  were  engaged  in  manufactures  in  1820? 

1203.  272.  What  was  the  amount  of  the  debt  in  1790  ? 

1204.  —    What  in  1812? 

1205.  —    How  much  was  contracted  in  the  last  war  ? 

1206.  —    What  was  the  amount  in  1823  ? 

1207.  —    From  what  is  the  revenue  principally  derived  ? 

1208.  —    In  1822,  how  much  accrued  from  commerce? 

1209.  —    How  much  from  the  sale  of  lands  T  How  much  from  other  sources  I 

1210.  273.  What  was  the  amount  of  expenditures  in  1822  ? 

1211.  — ,    Wlwit  was  the  excess  of  revenue  over  expenditures  ? 

1212.  „  sr+    What  course  has  been  pursued  in  Europe,  in  relation  to  education  / 
1213.'    —    What  in  the  United  States  ? 

1214.  —    What  law  was  passed  in  1647,  in  relation  to  schools  ? 

1215.  —    What  was  done  when  the  inhabitants  increased  ? 

1216.  —    WhaUs  the  amount  of  the  school  fund  ia  Connecticut  ? 

1217.  —    How  is  the  interest  appropriated  ? 

1218.  —    What  has  been  the  effect  of  this  system  ? 

1219.  274.  What  is  the  amount  of  the  school  fund  in  New- York  ? 

1220.  —    How  is  the  interest  appropriated  ? 

1221.  —    How  many  scholars  were  taught  there  in  1823  ? 

1222.  —    What  is  said  of  education  in  Virginia  ? 

1223.  —    What  has  the  national  government  done  in  relation  to  education  ? 

1224.  —    What  is  said  of  Academies  ? 

1225.  275.  When  was  Harvard  College  founded  ?    Where  ? 

1226.  —    How  many  volumes  does  the  library  contain  ? 

1227.  —    When  was  Yale  College  founded  ? 

1228.  —    Where  is  it  established  ? 

1229.  —    How  many  volumes  does  its  libraries  contain  ? 

1230.  —    How  many  other  colleges  are  there  in  the  Union  ? 

1231.  —    What  are 'taught  in  all? 

1232.  276.  What  in  addition  are  taught  in  some  of  them  ? 

1233.  —    What  remark  has  been  made  of  the  United  States  ? 

1234.  —    Is  it  just? 

1235.  —    What  direction  has  been  given  to  talents  in  the  United  States  ? 

1236.  277.  What  celebrated  inventors  may  America  boast  of? 

1237.  —    Who  are  her  eminent  historians  ?    Theological  writers  ? 

1238.  —    What  political  writings  are  spoken  of? 

1239.  —    What  is  said  of  American  painters  ? 

1240.  278.  Where  are  Congregationalists  most  numerous  ? 

1241.  —    Where  Presbyterians  ?   Where  Methodists  ?    Where  Roman  Ca, 

tholics? 

1242.  —    What  are  the  distinguish  ing  traits  of  the  American  character  ? 

1243.  —    What  is  said  of  the  manners  of  Americans  ? 

1244.  —    How  often  does  the  population  of  the  United  States  double  ? 

1245.  —    How  often  that  of  Great  Britain  ? 

1246.  —    Has  the  augmentation  of  wealth  and  power  been  as  rapid  / 

1247.  —    What  circumstances  indicate  that  the  United  States  will  continue 

to  prosper  ? 

1248.  280.  Yet  on  what  does  their  prosperity  depend  ? 


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